Former USC and NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez remains hospitalized Sunday after being stabbed during an altercation in downtown Indianapolis involving a 69-year-old man and is facing three misdemeanor charges, according to authorities and media reports.
Sanchez, 38, was scheduled to be part of the broadcast crew for Sunday’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, but will now be replaced by fellow Fox Sports analyst Brady Quinn, the network announced.
In a Saturday afternoon statement, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said, “After further investigation and following consultation with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, IMPD arrested 38-year-old Mark Sanchez for his alleged role in this incident. Sanchez was arrested at the hospital for battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, all of which are misdemeanors. All involved parties have been identified, and no further individuals are being sought by detectives.”
The department urged reporters and others to use caution in discussing the case. “An arrest is merely an accusation, and Sanchez should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
The Long Beach native remains hospitalized in stable condition and has not yet been interviewed by police, FOX59, a Fox News affiliate in Indianapolis, reported. The station said Sanchez had undergone surgery.
Officers were dispatched at 12:30 a.m. Saturday to the 300 block of West Washington Street in response to a report of a person being stabbed, the IMPD reported.
Upon arrival, they found two adult males — one with lacerations to his face and the other with multiple stab wounds, according to FOX59.
As outlined in court papers reviewed by FOX59 and the IndyStar newspaper, the older man “told police he was delivering food when Sanchez told him he needed to move and couldn’t park where he was. That man told police Sanchez started threatening and following him and then attacked him.
“The man said he first tried to pepper spray Sanchez but it didn’t work. He said it was at that time he defended himself with a knife. Police noted the man had a significant injury to his face.”
The dispute allegedly began over Sanchez being upset that the 69-year-old man was parked in his work box truck at a loading dock to collect used cooking oil, the court documents state.
“This incident should never have happened,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears told the IndyStar. “What began as a disagreement between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated into violence or left anyone seriously injured. As with any case, we will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead.”
The altercation and stabbing occurred in an alleyway near Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery in downtown Indianapolis. Sanchez reportedly suffered stab wounds to his upper torso and was being treated at Eskenazi Hospital, the IndyStar reported.
“Detectives believe this was an isolated incident between two men and not a random act of violence,” the IMPD statement said.
Fox Sports and others affiliated with Sanchez noted his injury and hospitalization.
“Mark Sanchez was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition. We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support,” a network statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”
USC posted a statement on X which read, ”The USC Football community sends our support to Mark and his family.”
Sanchez was drafted by the New York Jets in 2009 out of USC and also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Washington football teams.
He won 37 games and lost 36 out of 73 starts (79 total games played), with 15,357 passing yards and 86 touchdowns to 89 interceptions.
Sanchez became a Rose Bowl champion in 2009, USC’s third in succession. Later that year, he was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week, and he was also named in the Sporting News All Rookie Team.
He joined Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021.