Mark Sanchez breaks silence on violent brawl with truck driver as he’s booked into jail facing 16 years in prison

Former NFL star Mark Sanchez has for the first time addressed the bloody brawl with a truck driver in an Indianapolis alley that left him in critical condition after being stabbed and later arrested. 

The retired NFL quarterback and Fox TV commentator is facing up to 16 years in prison after the shocking incident involving 69-year-old Perry Tole, who claims to have stabbed him in self-defense during a violent altercation outside an Indianapolis pub early last Saturday morning.

Sanchez, 38, was initially charged with public intoxication, battery resulting in bodily injury and unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle – all misdemeanors. However, prosecutors have since added a felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury.

The former signal caller was released from hospital on Sunday morning, just over a week since the violent altercation, and was taken to Marion County Jail, where he was booked. 

As he left the jail, Sanchez spoke to reporters for the first time since the incident, thanking the emergency services. 

‘I’m just focused on my recovery,’ he told Fox 59. ‘I want to thank the first responders Eskenazi hospital. I just want to thank Dr. Mossler, the surgeon, she saved my life. I’m grateful for that. 

‘I’m recovering slowly. It’s a long process,’ Sanchez, who had his right arm in a sling, added when asked if he was feeling better. 

The unsavory incident occurred in the early hours of October 4, after Sanchez was observed acting ‘erratically’ and running ‘wind sprints’ during a night out ahead of covering the Colts’ NFL game.

It is alleged that Sanchez took issue with Tole parking his truck in a loading dock while he collected cooking oil on his night shift, as it was disrupting his impromptu workout.

Sanchez, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound former quarterback, is said to have then pummeled Tole and slammed him to the ground, before the latter used mace and then stabbed his assailant two to three times in the chest.

The ex-NFL player was then seen stumbling back toward the Loughmiller’s Pub and Eatery, where he was given medical attention and rushed to hospital.

While there, he was detained and charged with a Level 5 felony and three misdemeanor charges, and it has been reported that he could face up to 16 years in prison if the felony is upgraded to a Level 3.

He is also reportedly facing a lawsuit from Tole, who is suing him for assault/battery and also Fox for negligent hiring, retention and supervision.

In the suit, he reportedly states that Sanchez appeared intoxicated and instigated the fight, which caused him permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress and other damages. Tole claims he has significant injuries to his head, jaw and neck.

He has also targeted Fox after claiming the network should have known him as a bad fit due to his ‘propensity for drinking and/or harmful conduct.’

More to follow.