Mark Sanchez’s family has broken their silence – thanking fans and first responders for their support after the former Jets quarterback was stabbed during an allegedly drunken fight outside an Indianapolis pub.
“This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved,” Sanchez’s brother, Nick, said in a statement to TMZ Sports. “Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days.
“Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff,” the brother’s statement continued.
A 69-year-old grease truck driver stabbed Sanchez, 38, multiple times after the Fox Sports analyst allegedly attacked him around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, according to authorities.
Footage captured Sanchez clutching his wounds while staggering from the alleyway where the fight had happened into a nearby bar.
Sanchez was sent to the hospital with critical injuries before his condition was upgraded on Sunday to stable.
While hospitalized, he was hit with several misdemeanors.
Prosecutors on Monday upgraded the charges to a Level 5 felony battery of causing serious injury.
The grease truck driver, Perry Tole, is now suing Sanchez, claiming that he was left permanently disfigured by the alleged attack.
The lawsuit alleged Sanchez, who was in Indiana to report on Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Raiders, “appeared intoxicated” when he “instigated an altercation” with Tole, who was parking in a loading bay in the alleyway while collecting grease from nearby businesses.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
