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Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has been accused of battery with injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a vehicle after an early morning incident in the city that left him hospitalized with knife injuries.

Key Facts of the Confrontation

Based on an affidavit, Sanchez confronted a 69-year-old truck driver at a hotel loading bay. The driver claimed he believed “this guy is trying to kill me” and used a defensive spray to protect himself. When the spray failed to halt the former athlete from advancing on him, the man reported stabbing Sanchez “multiple times”. Sanchez then reportedly threw the driver against a dumpster before an expression of surprise came across his face and he “ran away”.

Investigators have reviewed recorded video of the event. Bystanders said that Sanchez and the driver filmed each other with their cellphones during the incident.

Police wrote in the affidavit, “The suspect is seen chasing [the man] and the video depicts Mr Sanchez seizing and hurling [the man] towards the wall of the hotel.”

How It Started

The dispute reportedly began after Sanchez and the trucker argued over a parking space.

Injuries and Aftermath

This altercation left Sanchez with stab wounds to his torso, while the other man suffered lacerations to his face. The former player was treated in hospital for his injuries, which were non-fatal, before he was taken into custody on Saturday. He is due to appear at a court session on Tuesday morning.

According to the legal filing, he informed officers “the only thing he recalled was reaching for a window.” He did not remember who stabbed him or the location of the event.

Official Response

“This incident was avoidable,” a prosecutor commented. “What began as a dispute between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man ought not to have turned into violence or left anyone seriously injured. As with any case, we will adhere to evidence and regulations wherever they lead.”

Career Repercussions

Sanchez was in the city to report on the football match with the opposing team on Sunday afternoon as part of his Fox Sports responsibilities. Another former NFL quarterback replaced him in the booth for Sunday’s game. Fox addressed the situation briefly on their sports program, with a presenter saying: “it’s a confusing situation … our thoughts and prayers are with him, his loved ones and everyone affected”.

Sanchez began with the network in recent years and also contributes to FS1 studio programming.

Background

Before his broadcasting career, Sanchez competed for 10 seasons in the league with several teams, including the New York Jets, who took him with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft. He subsequently joined the another team and Dallas Cowboys. He retired in mid-2019 and soon after began working with a sports network before moving to Fox.

Off the field, Sanchez wed his partner, Perry, in 2023. The pair shares a family of five.