President Trump expressed his dismay regarding the stabbing and Mark Sanchez’s arrest, referring to Sanchez as “a nice guy,” yet noting that “something a bit bizarre” transpired with the former Jets quarterback.
Sanchez, age 38, was admitted to the hospital early Saturday morning after sustaining a stab wound to the chest following a confrontation with a grease truck driver outside an Indianapolis tavern.
Trump mentioned his acquaintance with the Fox Sports commentator, expressing surprise upon learning about the attack and the subsequent felony charges.
“He’s a nice guy. I don’t know what occurred. Something unpleasant happened. Something a little out there happened,” Trump shared with Newsmax’s “Greg Kelly Reports” on Monday.
“I can merely say that he was a nice guy. I know him a bit,” he added.
Trump and Sanchez were photographed together during the launch of an NFL partnership with the fashion brand Marchesa in 2012.
Sanchez has been charged with battery following the conflict on Sunday, with one charge escalated to a felony on the following Monday.
TMZ / BACKGRID
If convicted, he could face a maximum of six years behind bars and a fine of $10,000.
Sequence of Events: The Mark Sanchez Stabbing and Arrest
Friday Night
- Mark Sanchez, 38, arrives in Indianapolis to work as a Fox Sports analyst for the Raiders-Colts game on Sunday. He is seen acting “erratically,” performing “wind sprints” in the alley behind Loughmiller’s Pub and Eatery downtown.
Just after midnight
- A grease truck driver, picking up used cooking oil from a nearby hotel, parks his vehicle and blocks the alley where Sanchez is exercising.
- Sanchez approaches the driver to request that he move, leading to a physical altercation where he body-slams the driver.
- The driver retaliates by using mace or pepper spray, but Sanchez continues to assault him.
- In fear for his life, the driver pulls out a knife and stabs Sanchez two or three times in the chest.
- Sanchez stumbles back up the alley.
12:30 a.m.
- Officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department respond to a report of a shooting and find Sanchez inside Loughmiller’s Pub.
- Once there, Sanchez is reported to be uncooperative, claiming he only remembers “grabbing for a window” when questioned.
- He is rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
- The driver also sustained “significant injuries,” including lacerations to the face.
Saturday
- Sanchez is stabilized following surgery for his stab wounds.
- While in the hospital, he is arrested on misdemeanor charges of battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle.
Sunday
- Sanchez is discharged from the hospital Sunday morning and immediately taken to Marion County Jail, where he posts a $300 cash bond.
Monday
- Sanchez’s charges are elevated from misdemeanor to a Level 5 felony for battery that resulted in serious injury.
In a phone interview on Monday evening, the president also criticized the NFL’s decision to feature Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance.
“I’ve never heard of him. I don’t know who he is. I can’t understand why they would make that choice. It’s bizarre,” Trump asserted.
“Then they blame some promoter they hired for choosing the entertainment. I find it absolutely absurd!” he continued.
Trump, a long-time football enthusiast, previously attempted to purchase the Baltimore Colts in 1981 and the Dallas Cowboys in 1984, as well as acquiring the short-lived New Jersey Generals in the USFL in 1983.
Current Updates on the Mark Sanchez Stabbing and Arrest:
- Ex-teammates of Mark Sanchez express shock at the assault charges against the ‘nice guy’ quarterback: ‘It’s utterly bizarre’
- Indianapolis authorities are awaiting the results of a drug test following Mark Sanchez’s erratic behavior
- Onlookers turn the gruesome crime scene involving Mark Sanchez into a grim tourist attraction
- Mark Sanchez’s family speaks on the ‘deeply distressing’ events surrounding the stabbing incident outside an Indianapolis bar
The president also voiced strong opinions on recent modifications to the NFL’s kickoff rules intended to enhance player safety.
“In the meantime, I’d like to see a change to the kickoff rule that looks absurd, where the ball is kicked and it just sort of hangs in the air while everyone stands around watching. It’s ridiculous!” he expressed angrily.
“It’s not any safer than the traditional kickoff. I think the current approach looks terrible; it truly diminishes the essence of football,” he remarked.
