Mark Sanchez out at FOX Sports after Indianapolis stabbing, Drew Brees hired

(WXIN/WTTV) — Mark Sanchez is no longer with FOX Sports after being arrested last month in connection with a downtown Indianapolis fight in which he was stabbed. The network has since hired former Purdue University and NFL quarterback Drew Brees.

FOX Sports confirmed Sanchez’s employment status on Friday afternoon, hours after announcing that Brees had been hired as an NFL game analyst. It is currently unclear whether Sanchez was fired or if he resigned.

“We can confirm that Mark Sanchez is no longer with the network,” a spokesperson said. “There will be no further comment at this time.”

In a statement from Mark’s brother, Nick Sanchez Jr., he called the news of Mark’s departure from FOX “disappointing.”

“It’s been a long month for Mark as he continues to recover from serious injuries while also grieving the loss of a close friend. While the recent news — and its timing — is understandably disappointing, our priority remains his continued healing and recovery,” Nick Jr. said. “Mark deeply values his time at FOX and the exceptional colleagues he’s had the privilege to work with. Those relationships are meaningful and will endure.”

Sanchez was arrested in early October and charged in Marion County with felony battery causing serious injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, public intoxication and misdemeanor battery. The charges stem from a late-night brawl that ended with Sanchez being stabbed.

Downtown Indy stabbing

The former NFL quarterback and FOX Sports commentator was in Indianapolis to help call the Colts vs. Raiders game scheduled for Oct. 5. Court documents detail how, around 12:35 a.m. Saturday, Indianapolis Metropolitan police officers were called to Loughmiller’s Pub and Eatery on West Washington Street.

Upon arrival, officers found Sanchez suffering from several stab wounds to his upper torso. A second man, 69-year-old Perry Tole, was found in a nearby alley with cuts to his face. Tole was working between the Westin Hotel and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, collecting used cooking oil as part of his job.

Police soon reviewed hotel security footage, which was later obtained by TMZ, that showed Sanchez jogging into the alley and approaching Tole’s box truck. They were seen verbally arguing before the interaction turned physical.

Investigators allege Sanchez opened Tole’s driver’s side door and climbed inside, despite being told to leave. Sanchez was reportedly intoxicated and claimed to have spoken to the hotel manager about how the truck was not supposed to be there.

Sanchez then allegedly threw Tole toward a nearby dumpster before a fight broke out, with Tole telling police that he used pepper spray to defend himself. However, this reportedly did not stop the former quarterback, causing Tole to think “this guy is trying to kill me” and pull out a knife.

Tole told police that he stabbed Sanchez several times in the chest in self-defense. Officials later said that security footage “closely matches” Tole’s description of the altercation. Detectives collected a knife from the truck’s driver’s seat and later obtained search warrants for Sanchez’s clothing and cellphone.

Tole’s family provided the following photos of his injuries, saying he was cut in his cheek during the fight.

Detectives later interviewed Sanchez at the hospital, where he said he could only recall “grabbing for a window” and that he did not know who attacked him or where it happened. After the fight, a bartender ended up trying to help the bloodied former NFL quarterback.

Arrest, criminal trial

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears released a statement the next day when explaining the charges filed against Sanchez.

“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,” Mears said. “As with any case, we will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead.”

Eight days later, on Oct. 12, Sanchez was released from the hospital and booked into Marion County Jail. A photo of him leaving the hospital and his mugshot can be seen below:

At a pretrial conference in Sanchez’s case on Oct. 22, his lawyers said that delays should be expected in the criminal trial.

”Thank you for allowing our client to be excused from today’s hearing,” said Timothy Delaney, Sanchez’s attorney. “He’s still recovering from the injuries he sustained and the medical intervention, so that process is ongoing. It may impact some of the dates.”

Tole, the victim in the stabbing altercation, has since announced that he will be filing a civil suit against Sanchez and his then-employer, FOX Sports. Now, the sports media giant has parted ways with Sanchez.

Sanchez out, Brees in

On the same day that FOX Sports confirmed Sanchez is no longer employed with the network, the company also announced the addition of Super Bowl Champion Drew Brees.

Called a “welcome addition to the FOX NFL roster,” Brees will reportedly be joining Sanchez’s former partner, Adam Amin, in the broadcast booth. He will make his debut on Sunday, Nov. 16, on FOX.

Brees announced his retirement from the NFL in 2021 after racking up the second-most all-time passing yards (80,258) and passing touchdowns (571) in league history. Brees led his long-time team, the New Orleans Saints, to its first championship in 2010 after defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

A former quarterback at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Brees set Big Ten records for completions, attempts and yards in his three seasons with the Boilermakers.

For more information on Brees’ hiring, click here.