Former NFL quarterback and current FOX analyst Mark Sanchez was involved in a serious altercation earlier this month, and his attorney says he is still recovering from injuries sustained during the incident.
During a pretrial conference on Wednesday in Marion County, Indiana, Sanchez’s attorney Tim Delaney spoke to a judge about the former New York Jet and his recovery efforts. Delaney explained that Sanchez “is still recovering from the injuries he sustained” as well as “medical intervention” needed to fix the damage he suffered.
The attorney thanked the judge for excusing Sanchez from Wednesday’s proceedings, but noted that further trial dates may need to be moved as Sanchez continues to recover.
Health Update From Sanchez’s Counsel
The ex-first round pick suffered injuries to his torso during the altercation with a delivery truck driver on October 4 in Indianapolis.
Sanchez was in town to call that weekend’s game between the Colts and Las Vegas Raiders, but has not been on air for FOX since the incident.
During the altercation, Sanchez sustained wounds to his chest that required him to spend a week in the hospital. The truck driver has claimed self-defense, also sustaining serious injuries that required hospitalization.
The truck driver has not been charged as a result of the altercation, while Sanchez has been charged with felony battery involving serious bodily injury. He has also been charged with three misdemeanors, including public intoxication. The driver is also suing both Sanchez and FOX Sports for unspecified damages.
Sanchez’s First Comments Since the Incident
A police affidavit says the driver reported that Sanchez smelled of alcohol, and that he initiated the physical altercation between the two of them. The driver pulled out a knife in self defense, telling police he believed “this guy is trying to kill me.”
Security video from the incident shows Sanchez throwing the driver against a wall and to the ground before running away from the scene. Police, responding to reports that a person had been shot, found him at a nearby restaurant.
“Right now I’m just focused on my recovery,” Sanchez told Fox59 News and CBS 4 Indy after he was released from the hospital. “I just want to see my wife, I want to see my son, my two baby girls,” he added.
“There’ll be a day to answer all these questions, and unfortunately, today is not that day.”
Sanchez, who joined FOX Sports in 2021 after a 10-year NFL career with multiple teams, has a tentative trial date of December 11th.
