Mark Sanchez
The Jets drafted Mark Sanchez at No. 5 overall in 2009.AP
Mark Sanchez, the former USC and Jets quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst, was arrested Saturday for his alleged role in a stabbing incident in downtown Indianapolis around midnight. He was in town to cover Sunday’s Colts-Raiders game.
At 2:17 p.m. ET, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department released a statement on X about a “physical disturbance” at around 12:30 a.m., after which a “man with the apparent stab wounds” was taken to a hospital and remained in stable condition. The police did not name Sanchez.
The other man received treatment for lacerations, police said. Detectives had reviewed video footage of the confrontation, which police said occurred in the popular downtown nightlife Wholesale District next to the Indiana statehouse.
Police released a second statement at 5:15 p.m., saying Sanchez had been arrested “at the hospital for battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication.”
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 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.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released the following statement:
“I’m monitoring reports of an altercation in our city between two individuals who do not appear to live in Indianapolis. Our city takes pride in being a destination that draws people from near and far, but it’s important that everyone who visits or enjoys our community does so respectfully and peacefully. I’m grateful to the IMPD officers and Indianapolis EMS medical professionals who responded immediately to provide life-saving care. IMPD continues to thoroughly investigate the incident.”
TMZ Sports first reported that Sanchez was in the hospital. Fox provided an update later, saying he was in stable condition.
“We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support,” Fox said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”
Sanchez, 38, was the No. 5 overall pick of the Jets in the 2009 NFL Draft out of USC. He was also arrested in 2006 at USC on suspicion of sexual assault when he was 19. No charges were filed.
Sanchez played for the Jets from 2009-13 and then the Philadelphia Eagles from 2014-15. He also played for the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins.
He joined Fox Sports in 2021 to call NFL games after spending about two years as an analyst for ESPN’s college football coverage.
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