THE family of the man allegedly assaulted by former NFL star Mark Sanchez have broken their silence.
Sanchez, a football commentator, was involved in an altercation outside an Indianapolis pub on Saturday morning that broke out following a parking dispute.
Mark Sanchez, a former New York Jets star, allegedly assaulted a truck driver in Indianapolis before being stabbed[/caption]
Cops at the scene of the dispute[/caption]
The ex football star, 38, allegedly threw a man, 69, toward a dumpster before being stabbed, according to court documents seen by the Fox affiliate WXIN-TV.
The man, who was a grease truck driver, was left bloodied with face and jaw injuries.
Pictures seen by The New York Post showed the man, identified as PT in court docs, in a neck brace.
His family revealed that he was “OK” following the attack.
“We are talking to lawyers first,” they said.
“We want to be careful what’s said. We appreciate that.”
The dispute happened near the Westin Hotel and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown hotel.
Sanchez, a former New York Jets star, reportedly charged toward a box truck that was in the loading docks of the Westin Hotel, according to court documents.
He then disappeared out of shot before returning to the driver’s door, per video seen by cops.
Sanchez opened the driver’s side door and started talking to the man.
The former player is accused of following the truck driver around his vehicle.
“Mr Sanchez is seen running after PT and the video shows Mr Sanchez grabbing and throwing PT towards the wall of the Westin,” the court documents say.
The driver, who said he was confused by what had unfolded, claimed Sanchez smelled of booze and had slurred speech.
He thought Sanchez could be the hotel manager because he was well dressed.
Sanchez continued to follow the truck driver before the situation escalated further.
The truck driver was trying to head to the Marriott’s security offices nearby.
Their altercation got physical before the driver pepper-sprayed Sanchez, according to the court documents.
The driver said he stabbed Sanchez two or three times after fearing for his life.
He was on the ground and said he could only see Sanchez’s feet coming toward him, as per the court documents.
The driver said he stabbed Sanchez again.
Sanchez was hospitalized before being released.
He has been charged with battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication.
Blood stains could be seen on the sidewalk near to where the alleged attack happened.
While in college, Sanchez starred for the USC Trojans in southern California before being selected by the Jets in the 2009 NFL draft.
He spent five seasons at the Jets before signing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014.
Sanchez later had spells with the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears.
He retired from football in 2019 and appeared on ESPN’s college football coverage.
He has been at Fox since 2021.
Fox Sports broadcaster Charissa Thompson issued a brief statement on the altercation.
“Friday night in Indianapolis, one of our team members Mark Sanchez, was involved in an incident that we are still trying to wrap our heads around,” she told viewers on Sunday.
“At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, his family and all of those involved.”
Sanchez with his wife Perry Mattfield[/caption]
