Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Mark Sanchez was stabbed in an incident in downtown Indianapolis early Saturday morning, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and he was later arrested on Saturday evening for his role in the incident.
TMZ first reported that Sanchez was hospitalized and in critical condition after being stabbed in Indianapolis, and later official information from FOX communicated that he was in stable condition and that they were sending their thoughts and prayers for their longtime TV color analyst. Sanchez is scheduled to be on the call for FOX for the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts game on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, but he is expected to be replaced.
Later in the afternoon, the IMPD announced that they had arrested the 38-year-old former NFL quarterback on three charges, all of which are misdemeanors. Here is the official statement from IMPD posted on social media:
“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.
Sanchez is still in the hospital and has not been booked into the Adult Detention Center.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decision. An arrest is merely an accusation, and Sanchez should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
The IMPD also announced that the incident was between two males at 12:30 a.m., and it was classified as an isolated incident and not a random act of violence. Officials also said that both parties were not local residents.
Sanchez, who played eight seasons in the NFL, appeared in two games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 in mostly mop-up duty behind Dak Prescott while Tony Romo was sidelined with injury. He completed 10-of-18 passes for 138 yards and three interceptions in his time with the franchise.
After being drafted fifth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the New York Jets -- who at the time were led offensively by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer -- Sanchez would end up starting 73 games in his NFL career and throwing for 15,357 yards.
Shortly after retiring from the NFL in 2019, Sanchez spent two seasons with ESPN before making the move to FOX in July 2021 where has been a color analyst for middle-of-the-road afternoon games.