Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was released from an Indianapolis hospital Sunday morning and booked in jail, eight days after an altercation with a truck driver led to Sanchez being stabbed and also charged with felony battery.
Sanchez was booked at Marion County Jail, where he was fingerprinted and had his mug shot taken, a condition set by the judge before Sanchez could return to his home out of state.
On his way out of the jail after his release, Sanchez — his right arm in a sling — spoke briefly with an Indianapolis Fox/CBS reporter and said he was slowly recovering from multiple stab wounds to his torso.
Speaking slowly and clearly emotional, Sanchez thanked the first responders, the hospital and the surgeon — “She saved my life” –and declined to say more.
“Sorry I can’t answer all your questions,” Sanchez said, adding his recovery will be “a long process.”
An analyst for Fox Sports, Sanchez was in Indianapolis for the call of the game between the home Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 5.
According to authorities, Sanchez, 38, got into an altercation the night before with 69-year-old Perry Tole in a dispute outside an Indianapolis hotel about a parking spot. Sanchez allegedly attacked Tole, who told police he pepper sprayed and then stabbed Sanchez in self-defense.
Tole also was hospitalized and has filed suit against Sanchez and Fox Corp.
Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said the investigation is continuing and that more charges could be forthcoming.
Sanchez has been charged with the felony as well as at least three misdemeanors. The felony charge carries a sentence of one to six years in prison, if convicted.