The man has filed a lawsuit against FOX Sports analyst Mark Sanchez and his employer, FOX Sports, seeking punitive and compensatory damages following a stabbing incident in Indianapolis
Matthew Neschis US Sports Reporter and Phoebe Tonks Overnight Reporter
05:24, 07 Oct 2025
Mark Sanchez
View 5 Images
Blood soaked photos of Mark Sanchez's alleged victim highlight the extent of the altercation(Image: Getty Images)
A hospital photograph of the lorry driver who claims to have been assaulted by Mark Sanchez, shows the scale of his injuries following an alleged stabbing incident over the weekend.
The victim, who is seen wearing a neck brace in a hospital bed while hooked up to an ECG and covered in blood, was allegedly injured during an altercation with the former New York Jets quarterback and FOX Sports - injuries he is alleging have caused a severe permanent disfigurement from the violent encounter.
On Monday, the man lodged a lawsuit against Sanchez and his employer, FOX, seeking punitive and compensatory damages following a stabbing incident that occurred in Indianapolis over the weekend.
The 38 year old faces at least one felony charge - with potential punishment ranging from one to six years in prison - as well as three misdemeanours.
Perry Tole, 69, the man who was allegedly stabbed by Mark Sanchez on Saturday night, is pictured in his hospital bed
View 5 Images
Perry Tole, 69, the man who was allegedly stabbed by Mark Sanchez on Saturday night, is pictured in his hospital bed
According to the lawsuit, Sanchez seemed to be under the influence when he "instigated an altercation" as the 69 year old was attempting to park in an alleyway around 12:30 a. m, reports the Mirror US.
to collect grease from nearby businesses - one of which was Loughmiller's Pub and Eatery.
Sanchez is alleged to have threatened the man before trying to get into his vehicle, leading the driver to pepper spray the former quarterback.
During the subsequent brawl, Sanchez is accused of stabbing the man through the cheek with his own knife and slicing his tongue.
Tole claims he has been left permanently disfigured after the attack
View 5 Images
Tole claims he has been left permanently disfigured after the attack
He also allegedly body-slammed the lorry driver to the ground, causing him to suffer "significant injuries to his head, jaw and neck," according to the lawsuit.
Sanchez was also stabbed multiple times by Tole and was seen limping down a street in surveillance footage obtained by the New York Post. The NFL analyst, who was in town to commentate on Sunday's match between the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts, was taken to a local hospital.
Mark Sanchez
View 5 Images
Mark Sanchez himself was also injured in the altercation and stabbed multiple times(Image: undefined)
In the lawsuit, the alleged victim asserts that FOX "knew or should have known" about Sanchez's "unfitness as an employee, propensity for drinking and/or harmful conduct."
Sanchez was arrested and held in Marion County Jail on Sunday, charged with misdemeanor battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. After posting a $300 bond, he was released and now also faces felony battery involving serious bodily injury.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced at a press conference: "We have added more serious charges against Mr. Sanchez,".
"At this time point in time, we have filed a felony charge, a level five felony battery, involving serious bodily injury, which contains a penalty of one to six years.
"One thing that I want to stress to everybody is that we are still in the early stages of this investigation. Chief and his team have a number of search warrants which are still outstanding, they are still tracking down additional information.
Mark Sanchez
View 5 Images
Sanchez retired from the NFL in 2018
"This is by no means the end of this investigation; these are by no means the final charges that we are going to move forward with."
In a chat with the New York Post, the family of the alleged victim stated that he is doing "OK" following the supposed incident.
Article continues below
"He's OK," a relative told the publication. "We are talking to lawyers first. We want to be careful what's said. We appreciate that."
Meanwhile, former Jets teammate Nick Mangold has voiced his thoughts on the matter. The ex-center, who played alongside Sanchez for four seasons and helped steer the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship appearances, expressed shock at the startling news and revealed he reached out to Sanchez immediately upon hearing it.
"I've known Mark since 2009. That's 16 years and he doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body," Mangold shared with the New York Post. "For something like this to happen, something obviously wasn't right that night, and I hope they get to the bottom of it."