Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was arrested Saturday after being stabbed during a dispute with a food delivery driver in downtown Indianapolis, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Sanchez, 38, was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, but is now in stable condition. He was arrested at the hospital on charges of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication, all misdemeanors.
The delivery driver claimed he acted in self-defense after Sanchez allegedly threatened him, then followed and attacked him.
According to a police report, the delivery driver told officers he was delivering food when Sanchez told him he needed to move his vehicle and couldn’t park where he was. Sanchez is accused of following and attacking the driver, who tried unsuccessfully to pepper-spray him. The driver claimed he defended himself with a knife at that point.
Officers noted the driver had a significant injury to his face.
The incident happened near Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery in downtown Indianapolis.
TMZ reported that Sanchez had no recollection of what happened during the incident, according to someone who spoke with him Saturday morning. Sanchez was “very out of it” during that conversation due to being sedated.
IMPD said everyone involved in the incident has been identified and that police believe it was an isolated incident.
“Proud of our IMPD officers and detectives who stayed focused on our mission and not the noise. Their professionalism represents the best of our department,” Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said in a statement. “IMPD will continue to be a steady, reliable presence in our city because our community deserves nothing less.”
Fox Sports released their own statement on the incident Saturday.
“Mark Sanchez was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition. We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”
Sanchez was in Indianapolis to provide color commentary for Sunday’s Colts-Raiders game for Fox Sports. He was replaced on the broadcast by Brady Quinn.
Sanchez is married to actress Perry Mattfeld. The couple have twins born in March. He also has an eight-year-old son, Daniel, from a previous relationship.
The former New York Jets star played 10 seasons in the NFL. The Jets selected him with the fifth overall pick in 2009. He spent four seasons with the team before playing for the Eagles, Cowboys, Washington, and Bears as a backup.