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Former NFL quarterback the sports analyst was accused of assault causing harm, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a vehicle after an early morning incident in Indianapolis that left him hospitalized with knife injuries.

Key Facts of the Altercation

Based on court documents, Sanchez confronted a 69-year-old truck driver at a hotel delivery area. The older man claimed he believed “this guy is trying to kill me” and deployed pepper spray to protect himself. When the spray did not stop the former athlete from moving toward him, the man reported stabbing Sanchez “multiple times”. He then allegedly pushed the driver against a dumpster before a look of shock appeared on his face and he “ran away”.

Detectives have reviewed video footage of the incident. Bystanders said that Sanchez and the driver recorded one another with their mobile phones throughout the altercation.

Officials stated in the legal document, “The suspect is seen running after [the man] and the video shows him seizing and hurling [the man] towards the wall of the Westin hotel.”

How It Started

The dispute reportedly began after Sanchez and the driver argued over a parking spot.

Injuries and Aftermath

The incident left Sanchez with knife injuries to his upper body, while the driver sustained cuts to his facial area. The former player was treated in hospital for his wounds, which were non-fatal, before he was taken into custody on Saturday. He is due to appear at a hearing on Tuesday morning.

According to the affidavit, he told police “the only thing he recalled was reaching for a window.” He did not remember the identity of his assailant or where the incident occurred.

Official Response

“This incident was avoidable,” the county attorney commented. “Starting as a dispute between a ex-sports star and a senior citizen ought not to have turned into violence or caused severe harm to anyone. As with any case, we will follow the facts and the law in pursuit of justice.”

Professional Impact

Sanchez was in Indianapolis to report on the football match with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon as part of his broadcasting duties. Another former NFL quarterback replaced him in the broadcast booth for the event. The network acknowledged the incident briefly on Sunday’s pregame show, with a presenter remarking: “we are all still trying to wrap our heads around it … our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and all those involved”.

Sanchez began with the network in 2021 and also contributes to FS1 studio programming.

Background

Prior to becoming an analyst, Sanchez played 10 seasons in the NFL with multiple franchises, including the New York Jets, who took him with the fifth overall pick in the annual selection. He subsequently joined the another team and Dallas Cowboys. He ended his playing career in July 2019 and soon after started at ESPN’s college football coverage before moving to Fox.

In his personal life, he married his wife, his spouse, in 2023. The couple has a family of five.