After being released from the hospital, Mark Sanchez was taken straight to Marion County Jail, where a judge set a $300 cash bond and issued a pretrial no-contact order. On the other hand, grisly images have surfaced showing a 69-year-old man injured after a brutal clash with former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez in Indianapolis. The alleged victim, identified only as P.T., was pictured by Fox 9 lying in a hospital bed wearing a neck brace, covered in blood, and with severe cuts to his cheek and jaw.

Truck driver hospitalised with severe injuries after stabbing Sanchez

According to the family of the truck driver, “he was cut in the fight and it went through his cheek and hit his tongue,” Fox59 anchor Angela Ganote said while sharing the photos on social media. According to an affidavit obtained by the outlet, P.T., a grease truck driver, had parked his truck in an alley while collecting cooking oil from a nearby hotel early Saturday morning. Sanchez approached him, and the situation turned violent.

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“PT did not have his hearing aids in because his truck is very loud when he is exchanging the frying oil for the hotel, so he had to lean in close to Mr Sanchez to hear him,” the affidavit reads. “When PT leaned in, he stated that Mr Sanchez smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred,” it continues. Shortly after, 38-year-old Sanchez allegedly shoved P.T. into a wall and then threw him to the ground. Fearing for his life, P.T. reportedly stabbed Sanchez in self-defence.

A witness told police that the encounter looked unusual, as if both men were recording the interaction on their phones. Surveillance footage from the Marriott hotel shows Sanchez running toward the truck and later grabbing and throwing the truck driver against the wall.

“Mr Sanchez approached the driver’s door of the truck and opened the door, and began a conversation with P.T.,” the affidavit says. “Mr Sanchez and P.T. stand by the driver’s side door for a few minutes, and then P.T. walks over towards the security office doors of the Marriott.”

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P.T. told police he attempted to ignore the situation by using pepper spray on Sanchez, but the former NFL player continued approaching. “Somehow, P.T. made it to his feet, and when Mr. Sanchez came at P.T., he] stabbed Mr. Sanchez the last time,” the affidavit stated.

Charges against Sanchez

Sanchez was released from the hospital earlier. He has been charged with battery resulting in injury, unauthorised entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication, risking the life of another, according to the affidavit. 

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears commented on the incident: “What began as a disagreement between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated into violence or left anyone seriously injured. This should have never happened.” Court records show Sanchez does not currently have an attorney listed. The former NFL star reportedly told police he has no memory of the incident. The driver, meanwhile, sustained serious injuries but has not been charged.

Sanchez had a successful NFL career, drafted by the New York Jets in 2009. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears. In 2019, he took retirement and worked as a commentator for ESPN, and later joined Fox Sports in 2021 as a game analyst.

After the stabbing, Fox Sports released 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.” The network declined further comment