FOX Sports is facing some social media backlash after sending “thoughts and prayers” to broadcaster Mark Sanchez following his hospitalization and subsequent arrest.
Sanchez, 38, was involved in a violent incident in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 4. The former NFL quarterback was stabbed, then later arrested by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police while recovering in the hospital.
On Sunday, October 5, Sanchez was charged by Marion County prosecutors for his alleged role in the incident. He has been charged with battery with injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a vehicle. An initial hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, with a bond set at $300.
During the pregame broadcast of “FOX NFL Kickoff” on Sunday, host Charissa Thompson sent her thoughts and prayers to Sanchez — who was originally scheduled to provide color commentary during the Indianapolis Colts game against the Las Vegas Raiders — as well as everyone involved in the incident.
“Friday night in Indianapolis, one of our team members, Mark Sanchez, was involved in an incident that we are still trying to wrap our heads around,” Thompson said on the broadcast. “At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and all of those involved.”
Sanchez was replaced by Brady Quinn on the game broadcast. Prior to kickoff, Quinn’s partner, Chris Myers, also commented on the incident.
“I’m Chris Myers, along with Brady Quinn, who is stepping in for Mark Sanchez,” Myers said during the broadcast’s introduction. “And obviously we all want to send out our thoughts and prayers to Mark and those involved in Friday’s incident, as we get ready for today’s game.”
Some fans on social media didn’t take too kindly to the comments.
“How about some ‘thoughts and prayers’ for the 69 yo delivery driver he attacked for no good reason?” said one social media user.
“Nope. I’m with the 69 year old guy he tried to kill. The pictures of him are horrible,” said another user.
That same day, the family of the 69-year-old man involved in the incident provided shocking photos of the man’s injuries to local media outlet FOX59, adding that they wish to remain anonymous due to the media attention surrounding the incident.
“The family of the victim provided the following images of the victim’s injuries, showing the damage inflicted on the 69-year-old during the attack,” the outlet reported. “The family wishes to remain anonymous due to the attention around the incident, but said the man was cut in the fight and it went through his cheek and hit his tongue.”
According to a FOX59 report, Indianapolis police were called to Loughmiller’s Pub and Eatery at around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, where they found Sanchez suffering from multiple stab wounds to his upper torso.
The 69-year-old man was also found nearby, with cut wounds on his face. The man was working as a delivery driver between the Westin Hotel and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown at the time.
According to an affidavit for probable cause obtained by FOX59, Sanchez allegedly approached the man at a loading dock, and the two were seen talking before the interaction turned physical, to the point where the man allegedly felt that he was in danger.
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