Mark Sanchez's Stabbing Incident: Everything to Know

Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez could face years of prison time following a stabbing incident in Indianapolis.

On the night of October 3, the former football player, 38, was doing "wind sprints" in the alley behind Loughmiller's Pub and Eatery in the city, where he was set to serve as Fox Sports analyst for the Colts–Raiders game on October 5.

A grease truck driver parked his truck in the loading dock just after midnight on October 4. The vehicle blocked the alley where Sanchez had been doing sprints, prompting the athlete to approach the driver.

According to court documents, the confrontation escalated into an altercation, with Sanchez body-slamming the elderly truck driver and continuing to attack even after being pepper-sprayed. The 69-year-old man stabbed Sanchez multiple times before the Fox commentator left the scene.

At 12:30 a.m., the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a 911 call about an incident near the 300 block of Washington Street. One officer reported that one person in critical condition was taken to Eskenazi Hospital while the other was "in custody," per the New York Post.

A news outlet reported that Sanchez was in critical condition after sustaining injuries in the brawl.

FOX later issued a statement confirming the former football player was "recovering in the hospital in stable condition," adding, "We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family's privacy during this time."

Detective Joshua Slayton was informed about the surveillance cameras at the Westin and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, which captured the alley where the stabbing happened. While the Westin's video quality was poor, a probable cause affidavit stated the clip from the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown captured Sanchez approaching the driver's door of the truck.

"Sanchez is seen running after (the man) and the video shows Mr. Sanchez grabbing and throwing (the man) towards the wall of the Westin," police wrote in the affidavit.

Investigators shared similar statements in the document.

The elderly driver informed police he sprayed Sanchez with pepper spray, but the analyst simply wiped it off and continued attacking him.

"This guy is trying to kill me," the man reportedly thought, prompting him to pull out his knife and stab Sanchez two or three times.

Sanchez gave him "a look of shock" before turning around and heading up the alley.

A graphic video obtained by the New York Post showed Sanchez clutching his stab wound while walking down a street after the incident. Police later found a visible trail of blood along the alley before discovering Sanchez at a nearby bar.

After receiving treatment, Sanchez was arrested at the hospital and charged with misdemeanor counts of battery resulting in injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. The father-of-three was transferred to central booking at the Marion County Jail on October 5.

"This incident should never have happened," Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said, per ESPN. "What began as a disagreement between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated into violence or left anyone seriously injured. As with any case, we will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead."

On top of the misdemeanor charges, Sanchez is also facing a more serious charge — a felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury — after investigators were informed of the extent of the victim's injuries.

"This was a situation that did not need to occur," Mears said during a news conference on October 6. "The allegations involve a 38-year-old man becoming involved in an altercation with a 69-year-old man who sustained significant and very serious injuries."

According to court documents, the truck driver "suffered a severe laceration to the side of his face, penetrating all the way through his left cheek." ABC News shared the gruesome image of the victim's injuries, which Indianapolis ABC affiliate WRTV obtained.

Mears explained that Sanchez's Level 5 felony charge of battery carries a sentence of one to six years in prison.

"One of the challenges you have in a case like this is that you are dealing with individuals who are receiving medical care and that's, obviously, the most important thing, that individuals are treated appropriately," Mears said. "But once we were provided with additional information about the victim's current medical condition, it became clear to us that additional charges needed to be filed."

On October 6, the truck driver filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and his current employer, Fox Corporation, claiming "assault and battery against Sanchez, and of negligent hiring, retention and supervision against Fox."

The complaint stated Sanchez "intentionally and unlawfully made harmful and offensive contact" with the victim, causing "serious bodily injury." It also noted that his actions "constitute malicious, willful, wanton or grossly negligent conduct."

"[Plaintiff] suffered severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress and other damages," the claims continued.

The man is requesting compensatory damages, punitive damages, costs and expenses (including attorney's fees) and "any other relief that the Court deems just and proper."

Former Notre Dame football quarterback Brady Quinn took over Sanchez's role as analyst for Sunday's game, according to Front Office Sports. Before the gig, Quinn had been in Ann Arbor, Mich., for Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" broadcast on October 4.

In an interview with the New York Post, Sanchez's former Jets teammate Nick Mangold expressed his shock over the alleged crime and arrest. He revealed he has known the former quarterback for 16 years, since 2009, and that he "doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body."

"For something of this to happen, something obviously wasn't right that night, and I hope they get to the bottom of it," the former Jets center added.

According to Mangold, he texted Sanchez after learning he had been stabbed, though he did not hear back from him.

"It's completely out of character," said Mangold. "The Mark I know wouldn't do this. They obviously have video footage of him doing it, but it seems so out of character."