Mark Sanchez, the Fox Sports analyst and former NFL quarterback, told a TV reporter “I’m just focused on my recovery” as he left Marion County (Ind.) Jail on Sunday morning after having his mugshot taken.
Sanchez’s comments to Fox59/CBS4 were the first he’s made publicly since being arrested last weekend in connection with a physical altercation in which he was stabbed.
“I just want to thank the first responders, Eskenazi Hospital,” Sanchez said Sunday, according to videos posted on social media by Fox59/CBS4. “I just want to thank Dr. (Lindsey) Mossler, the surgeon. She saved my life.”
Sanchez added that he was recovering slowly before getting into a truck and leaving.
Sanchez, 38, was hospitalized Oct. 4 after being stabbed during an alleged early-morning physical confrontation with a 69-year-old truck driver in downtown Indianapolis. Police said Sanchez was stabbed multiple times in his upper right torso, while the other man had a large laceration on his left cheek that also required hospitalization.
Sanchez initially faced charges of battery resulting in an injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry before prosecutors in Marion County added a Level 5 felony battery charge. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Attorneys for Sanchez have previously declined to comment. His first court date is set for Nov. 5.
Sanchez was in Indianapolis to work the Week 5 game between the Colts and Las Vegas Raiders for Fox. He attended practice Oct. 3 but never called the game because of the incident that led to his stabbing.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said the whole ordeal could have been avoided.
“We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone receiving just incredibly significant injuries,” Mears said at a news conference last week.
“Where this incident took place was an area of the city which was very well covered by surveillance footage. There are multiple angles of surveillance footage which capture the events that occurred. And in addition, we had a number of civilian witnesses who came forward (and) provided information about what took place.”
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey added that Sanchez’s celebrity status will have no bearing on how they proceed with Sanchez, who was the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Level 5 felony Sanchez has been charged with carries a sentencing guideline of one to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
“I don’t care who you are. I don’t care what you do for a living. I don’t care where you live,” Bailey said last week. “If you come into our city, commit violence, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold you accountable.”
The truck driver, who has been identified as Perry Tole, is suing Sanchez and Fox in civil court. Tole and his lawyer, Erik J. May of Golitko & Daly PC, are accusing Sanchez of one count of assault/battery. They are also accusing Fox of one count of negligent hiring, retention and supervision.
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