Former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, 38, is facing charges after an altercation with a 69-year-old grease truck driver in Indianapolis. The incident, which resulted in Sanchez being stabbed in the chest, occurred after Sanchez reportedly behaved erratically and physically assaulted the driver. The driver claims he acted in self-defense, stating that he believed Sanchez was trying to kill him.
Sanchez, who spent four seasons with the Jets and is currently a Fox Sports analyst, was in Indianapolis for the Raiders-Colts game. The incident took place after midnight on Saturday, following an argument between Sanchez and the driver over the truck blocking an alley. Prior to the altercation, Sanchez was seen running sprints in the alley behind a local pub, where he had been drinking and behaving in an unusual manner.
Surveillance footage from a nearby hotel shows Sanchez approaching the truck, opening the driver’s door, and speaking to the driver. He then walked over to the hotel’s security office doors. The video later shows Sanchez following the driver, who was seen backing away. Sanchez is then seen running after the driver and throwing him towards a wall.
The altercation continued in the alley, where Sanchez, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 230 pounds, allegedly threw the elderly driver to the ground. A witness initially thought the two men were friends until he noticed they were recording each other on their cell phones.
The driver, who was initially misidentified as a DoorDash delivery driver, told police he used mace on Sanchez, but the former NFL player continued to attack him. The driver then stabbed Sanchez two or three times. Sanchez reportedly looked shocked before leaving the scene. Police later found a trail of blood in the alley.
Sanchez was taken to the hospital in critical condition but has since been stabilized. He has spoken with officers but claims he does not remember who stabbed him or where the incident took place. Sanchez has not yet been booked into the Marion County Jail, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Charges were filed against Sanchez after police reviewed surveillance footage and spoke with the truck driver, who suffered a cut to his left cheek and has since been released from the hospital.