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Former USC and NFL quarterback turned FOX Sports broadcaster Mark Sanchez was reportedly "acting erratically" and attack an elderly grease truck driver before he was stabbed in Indianapolis early Saturday (October 4) morning, authorities confirmed via the New York Post.
“This guy is trying to kill me,” the 69-year-old driver told police while recounting the incident, according to court documents.
Sanchez, 38, was charged with battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle in relation to the incident, which resulted in the driver stabbing him. The FOX Sports broadcaster, who was in Indianapolis to call the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts on Sunday (October 5), allegedly got into an argument with the truck driver just before midnight on Saturday when he complained that the truck was blocking a nearby alley, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to FOX 59.
Sanchez was reportedly doing "wind sprints" in the alley behind the Loughmiller's Pub and Eatery where he was drinking and "acting erratically" prior to the argument. Video captured from the nearby Indianapolis showed the former NFL quarterback approach and open the driver's door of the truck, talk to the driver and walk over to the hotel's security office, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by the Indianapolis Star.
The two men then had another interaction before Sanchez began following the driver, who was seen backing away in the footage described by the charing documents.
“Sanchez is seen running after [the man] and the video shows Mr Sanchez grabbing and throwing [the man] towards the wall of the Westin,” the affidavit states.
The fight continued into the alley, at which point Sanchez allegedly threw the 69-year-old.
“Mr Sanchez is then seen throwing [the man] to the ground on the west side of the alley,” the affidavit states.
The grease truck driver told police that he used mace to protect himself from Sanchez but the attack continued before he stabbed the former quarterback two or three times, at which point Sanchez allegedly stared at him "with a look of shock" before turning around and walking up the alley, the affidavit states. Police found a trail of blood in the alleyway and Sanchez was rushed to the hospital in critical condition before later being upgraded to stable.
Sanchez was arrested, however, hasn't been booked into Marion County Jail. The driver was reported to have suffered a laceration to his left cheek.
Sanchez was a First-team All-Pac-10 selection during his lone full season as USC's starter in 2008 before being selected by the New York Jets at No. 5 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. The California native led New York to two consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances during his first two seasons, but was released by the team after the 2013 season, having gone 33-29 as a starter in four seasons.
Sanchez's tenure with the Jets is also best remembered for the infamous 'Butt Fumble' play during a 2012 Thanksgiving Day game against the New England Patriots in which he ran into the backside of offensive lineman Brandon Moore and fumbled, with Patriots safety Steve Gregory returning it for a touchdown. The former USC standout also appeared in games for the Philadelphia Eagles (2014-2015), Dallas Cowboys (2016) and now-Washington Commanders (2018) during his NFL career before retiring in 2019.
Sanchez began his broadcasting career as part of ESPN's college football coverage before moving to FOX in 2021.