The death of a man that Mark Sanchez called his “big brother” was enough for the embattled former quarterback to break his silence.
Sanchez, who is facing charges over an alleged drunken stabbing incident with a grease truck driver earlier this month, took to social media Sunday to share a heartfelt tribute to former New York Jets teammate Nick Mangold.
Mangold, a Jets team icon, died on Saturday night at age 41 due to complications from kidney disease — just two weeks after announcing that he needed a transplant.
“We lost a good man today,” Sanchez, 38, posted to X. “I know (Mangold) will be a hall-of-famer, but there’s more to his story than his accomplishments on the gridiron.
“He was more than a teammate. He was my big brother who introduced me to the NFL. He showed me the ropes. He was my friend and confidant. He was a role model and a great father to his children and husband to his wife.
“Our hearts are heavy. We will miss you. Rest easy amigo. I love you big fella. #74.”
The post was Sanchez’s first on social media since the incident in Indianapolis that led to himself and a 69-year-old man, Perry Tole, being hospitalized with stab wounds.
Sanchez was booked on assault charges and processed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office following his release from hospital.
He was stabbed in the chest during the altercation with Tole just after midnight on Oct. 4. According to court documents, Tole was parked in a hotel loading dock when Sanchez allegedly confronted him about a parking spot.
The NFL analyst is facing a charge of level 5 felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury along with three misdemeanour charges: Battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle.
If convicted, Sanchez could serve up to six years in prison. His trial date is set for Dec. 11.
Tole also has filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and his employer, Fox Sports, for civil damages. In the lawsuit, Tole claims he “suffered severe permanent disfigurement” in the attack and his head, jaw and neck were badly injured.
In an interview with the New York Post on Oct. 6, Mangold said that he was shocked by the incident involving his former quarterback.
“I’ve known Mark since 2009, that’s 16 years, and he doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body,” Mangold told the outlet. “For something of this to happen, something obviously wasn’t right that night, and I hope they get to the bottom of it.”
Mangold added that he felt it was “completely out of character for Sanchez and that “the Mark I know wouldn’t do this. They obviously have video footage of him doing it, but it seems so out of character.”