Former NFL star Mark Sanchez says he's “focused on my recovery” after being booked in and out of jail. incident last weekend during which he was stabbed and another man was seriously injured.
Sanchez was taken to the Marion County Jail on Sunday after being released from the hospital. A judge ruled that Sanchez must undergo a review process before he is allowed to leave Indiana.
“I am focused on my recovery and want to thank the first responders,” Sanchez. told CBS/Fox Indianapolis reporter Max Lewis near the Marion County Jail. The 38-year-old then appeared emotional as he thanked the surgeon who operated on him: “She saved my life… I'm grateful for that.” When asked about the torso injuries he suffered during the incident, the former New York Jets defensive end said, “I'm slowly recovering, it's a long process.”
Sanchez he faces criminal charges regarding an incident last weekend. Sanchez, who was in Indianapolis to cover the Colts' game with the Raiders for Fox Sports, was involved in a confrontation with 69-year-old truck driver Perry Toal early Saturday morning. Tole, who was left with a deep gash to his face, said he feared for his life during the incident and sprayed pepper spray and stabbed Sanchez. According to police, the incident occurred after a dispute over a parking space.
Sanchez faces up to six years in prison if convicted of battery. He is due to attend a court hearing on November 5. Tole also filed a lawsuit against Sanchez, and his lawyers said their client suffered “serious permanent disfigurement, loss of function” and emotional distress.
Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, which also include assault causing bodily harm, public consumption of alcohol and unlawful entry into a vehicle.
Fox Sports has yet to discuss Sanchez's long-term future with the network. The Jets selected Sanchez fifth overall in 2009. NFL project after he had a successful college career in his native California. He led the Jets to two AFC Championship games before working with several teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. He announced his retirement from the NFL in 2019 and soon after began working on college football coverage for ESPN before moving to Fox.
