Mark Sanchez has begun publicly facing the music.
The FOX NFL analyst and former quarterback of the New York Jets and several other teams in the league was discharged from an Indianapolis hospital Sunday morning, more than a week after being stabbed and subsequently arrested in the city. From there, he was processed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, according to local police.
Sanchez, who allegedly attacked a truck driver at a local hotel on Oct. 4 over an apparent dispute about a parking spot, faces a level 5 felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury charge and three misdemeanor charges − battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle.
‘I’m just focused on my recovery,’ Sanchez said Sunday after being released from the hospital. ‘I just want to thank the first responders (and) Eskenazi Hospital.’
Sanchez’s right arm was in a sling as he departed, a coat draped over his shoulders. In a somewhat emotional state, he also thanked his surgeon for, ‘saving my life. I’m grateful for that.
‘I’m recovering slowly. It’s a long process.’
An initial hearing in the case set for Oct. 7 was waived. The next hearing scheduled is a pretrial conference set for Nov. 5. Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The felony charge carries a potential sentence of one to six years in prison.
On Monday, Perry Tole – the alleged 69-year-old victim − filed a civil lawsuit in Marion Superior Court against both Sanchez and FOX Corp. He alleged that he suffered ‘suffered severe permanent disfigurement’ as a result of the incident, including damage to his head, jaw and neck.
A first-round pick of the Jets in 2009, Sanchez was employed by six NFL teams and played 79 professional games, his final appearance coming with Washington in 2018.
Sanchez, 38, began working for Fox in 2021 and was scheduled to call a game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 5, but his incident precluded that.
‘This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved,’ Sanchez’s brother, Nick Sanchez Jr., wrote in a statement last week. ‘Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days. Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.’