Former NFL Quarterback Mark Sanchez Arrested at Hospital After Indianapolis Stabbing

Mark Sanchez has been arrested for what authorities believe to be his role in a stabbing incident that left the former NFL quarterback and another person injured.

“After further investigation and following consultation with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, IMPD arrested 38-year-old Mark Sanchez for his alleged role in this incident,” the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) announced in a written statement shared via X on Saturday, October 4.

“Sanchez was arrested at the hospital for battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, all of which are misdemeanors,” the statement continued. “All involved parties have been identified, and no further individuals are being sought by detectives.”

According to authorities, the former New York Jets quarterback is “still in the hospital and has not been booked into the Adult Detention Center.”

“The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decision,” the statement continued. “An arrest is merely an accusation, and Sanchez should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

News first broke on Saturday that Sanchez was involved in a “physical disturbance” at around 12:30 a.m. that morning. According to authorities, the altercation resulted in “one man receiving lacerations and the other sustaining injuries consistent with stab wounds” and that the incident was an “isolated” event between two men “and not a random act of violence.”

“IMPD Aggravated Assault detectives are continuing the investigation and have reviewed video footage of the incident,” another statement released on Saturday read in part. “Both men received medical treatment. The man with the apparent stab wounds remains hospitalized in stable condition.”

Shortly after news of the stabbing broke, Fox News Sports released a statement, saying that Sanchez “is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition.”

“We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”

The former New York Jets quarterback is currently a color analyst for Fox Sports. He had traveled to Indianapolis to broadcast the upcoming game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, October 5.

Sanchez played in the NFL for eight seasons, most notably taking the New York Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship Games in his first two years in the league after he was drafted fifth overall in 2009. Sanchez also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders before retiring from the league in 2019.

Prior to his time in the NFL, Sanchez was a star at the University of California, where he was no stranger to controversy. In 2006, the former quarterback was arrested after a fellow USC student accused him of sexual assault. Sanchez was released from jail the next day and suspended from school. On June 3, 2006, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office announced that no charges would be filed and he was promptly reinstated as a student athlete.

Off the field, he married his wife, Perry Mattfeld, in May 2023. The couple went on to welcome three children.