TROUBLED former NFL star Mark Sanchez had a reputation for “ego issues” when he was drinking and would “start arguing,” a former teammate has told The U.S. Sun.
The 38-year-old was arrested early on Sunday hours after he was stabbed in an alleged altercation with a delivery driver outside a downtown Indianapolis bar.
Disturbing pictures have claimed to show injuries suffered by driver Perry Tole, 69, after police say Sanchez attacked him and Tole fought back by stabbing Sanchez in self-defense.
Sanchez, who was in Indianapolis to cover the Colts versus Las Vegas Raiders game for Fox, was initially booked on charges of battery with injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a vehicle.
Prosecutors later upgraded the case, adding a felony battery charge on Monday.
If convicted on all counts, Sanchez could face up to six years behind bars.
Surveillance footage obtained by the New York Post shows a bleeding Sanchez clutching his torso and staggering down the street around 12:30 am after the stabbing.
The shocking images, however, didn’t surprise one former teammate who spoke to The U.S. Sun on the condition of anonymity.
The NFL player said when he heard the news about Sanchez, he instantly thought that “this was bound to happen.”
The ex-quarterback, according to the unnamed star, “crosses the line” when he drinks, and many of his former colleagues across the NFL felt the same.
“Mark has always had a bit of an ego issue—thinking he was superior to everyone else,” said the friend. “When he’d had a few drinks, he was always an annoying guy.”
He recalls numerous incidents on nights out when Sanchez would start becoming increasingly rude and “start arguing about nonsense” as the boozy nights wore on.
“He killed the party so many times because of his behavior,” the source added.
“I talked with a couple of other guys who played with him, and many of us feel the same way: it had to happen to a guy like him because he absolutely crosses the line when he drinks.”
DESTINED TO HAPPEN
None of this was a shock to his former teammate.
He describes the ex Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys star as an “arrogant, egocentric guy who makes everything about himself” and that his personality changes dramatically when intoxicated.
“Now he’s in trouble because of his behavior, and he has to think about it and change things radically,” claimed the former player. “If you can’t drink and behave well, you need to stop drinking and focus on what’s best for you.
“I started declining invitations whenever he suggested going out. I told him multiple times to behave and stop acting like an idiot, or he would face bad situations one day. He’s definitely not the best person to hang around when you go out for drinks.”
FEARS FOR CAREER
Robert Boland, a former NFL agent, prosecutor, and co-chair of sports practice Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, told The U.S. Sun that he fears for Sanchez’s TV career following the shameful episode.
He called the incident “beyond bizarre” and says it could spell the end of his fledgling media career.
“He was moving up the ladder as a broadcaster at Fox Sports. Everything seemed to be going well for him,” Boland said. “He has had a history of unusual off-field incidents.
“He may escape serious charges given that he got the worst of it, and has no significant prior criminal record, despite the prosecutor considering felony charges. But he must be very worried about his broadcasting role – this could be career ending.”
TROUBLES IN COLLEGE
It’s not the first time the Californian has been in trouble.
In April 2006 while at USC, he was arrested after a female student accused him of sexual assault.
Sanchez was released from jail the following day and suspended.
Later that summer, it was announced by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office that no charges would be filed.
The college star was reinstated but fined by USC for underage drinking and using false identification following the incident in question.
SHOCKING ATTACK ACCOUNT
According to court documents, the chaos began when Sanchez confronted a truck driver whose vehicle was blocking an alleyway near a hotel’s loading dock.
The driver told investigators he was in the middle of collecting used grease from restaurants when Sanchez, allegedly intoxicated, began shouting at him.
The confrontation escalated so quickly that the older man said he feared for his life.
He first tried to fend Sanchez off with pepper spray, but when the ex-athlete kept coming, the driver pulled a knife and stabbed him “two or three times,” per the documents.
The affidavit claims Sanchez then hurled the man into a dumpster before stumbling away, looking stunned.
Witnesses said he soon banged on the window of a nearby bar, bloodied and desperate for help.
Bartender Scott Bennett recalled dragging him inside while coworkers pressed rags against his wounds and called 911.
In the lawsuit filed Monday, Tole says Sanchez has permanently disfigured him as well as causing serious physical and mental damage.
TMZ reported the truck driver is suffering mostly with head, neck and jaw issues following the attack.
When police caught up with him at the hospital, Sanchez reportedly said he couldn’t remember anything from the night except “grabbing a window.” He never mentioned the stabbing or the fight.
The former Jets star has yet to comment publicly on the incident.
The U.S. Sun reached out to Indianapolis based attorney James Voyles, who is representing Sanchez, but he’s yet to respond.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15300272/mark-sanchez-nfl-indianapolis-arrest-cops/