Mark Sanchez arrested in Indianapolis altercation that led to stabbing. What we know

(This story has been updated.)

Indianapolis police arrested Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez on Oct. 4 after an overnight stabbing that left him in the hospital and injured another man.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced shortly after 5 p.m. that they'd arrested Sanchez, 38, on allegations of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, all of which are misdemeanors.

Indianapolis police said that two men were involved in a verbal argument that turned physical in an alley near the Indiana Statehouse about 12:30 a.m. Oct. 4. The other man involved suffered "lacerations" and was treated and released, according to police.

IMPD did not release additional details about what they believe happened but said Sanchez's arrest came "after further investigation."

Sanchez was still in the hospital at the time of his arrest, police said. No update was provided on his condition.

UPDATE #1 Arrest made in stabbing incident. https://t.co/quxMVPGTtgpic.twitter.com/WSu86b8P3U

— IMPD (@IMPDnews) October 4, 2025

Sanchez, a former NFL quarterback, was in town to call the Indianapolis Colts game vs. the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 5. Brady Quinn is set to replace Sanchez in the booth, according to Front Office Sports.

"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," read a Fox Sports statement released prior to Sanchez's arrest.

Just before 5 p.m. on Oct. 4, several NFL fans in town for the Colts-Raiders game milled around the block, talking amongst themselves about the stabbing and looking for the scene of the conflict. Dried blood could still be seen on the sidewalk in the 300 block of West Washington Street next to Loughmiller's Pub & Eatery and Pronta Pizzeria. Loughmiller's and other businesses nearby were operating as normal.

Who is Mark Sanchez?

Sanchez led college football in passing yards and touchdown passes as a quarterback at the University of Southern California from 2006 to 2008. He was selected as a first-round, fifth-overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2009 NFL Draft.

For the bulk of his career, Sanchez played under center for the Jets, going 33-29. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Washington, before retiring in 2019.

Sanchez joined Fox as an analyst in 2021.

Downtown Indianapolis scrutinized over crime

The stabbing now making national headlines comes three months after downtown was the scene of a mass shooting over the July 4 weekend. A 16-year-old boy died at the scene and a 15-year-old boy later died at an area hospital. Five other people were treated at hospitals for various injuries. Most of those injured in the shooting were teenagers.

It's also after a fraught summer where state leaders took aim at what they saw as crime as a result of a lack of leadership in the Circle City. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett defended the city's response to gun violence after some suggested the state should take over crime watch in the city.

The back-and-forth continued on Oct. 4 after news of Sanchez getting stabbed spread. In a now-deleted X post, Gov. Mike Braun took to social media to declare that city leaders "must do their jobs and hold criminals accountable."

"When Indianapolis headlines national news for a lack of public safety, it hurts our city and our state," the governor's tweet said. "Hoosiers deserve better. Praying for a full recovery for Mark Sanchez."

IndyStar has reached out to the governor's office for comment.

In a statement, Hogsett said he was monitoring the situation.

"Our city takes pride in being a destination that draws people from near and far, but it's important that everyone who visits or enjoys our community does so respectfully and peacefully," the statement said.

Assistant Sports Editor Aaron Ferguson contributed.

Contact Alysa Guffey at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mark Sanchez arrested in Indianapolis altercation leading to stabbing