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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Tom Lutz

Man left with ‘disfigurement’ in confrontation with Mark Sanchez sues former NFL star

Mark Sanchez suffered stab wounds in the incident.
Mark Sanchez suffered stab wounds in the incident. Photograph: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

A man injured in a violent confrontation with Mark Sanchez is suing the former NFL star and his current employer, Fox Corporation.

Lawyers for Perry Tole filed the lawsuit in an Indiana court on Monday. They are seeking damages and legal fees. The lawsuit says the incident, which happened in the early hours of Saturday morning in Indianapolis, caused Tole “severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function” and emotional distress. Police say the 69-year-old suffered lacerations to his cheek during the confrontation.

Fox has yet to comment on the lawsuit. Lawyers representing Sanchez in a criminal case against him have not responded to the lawsuit either.

Sanchez could also face jail time in the criminal case. So far Indiana police have charged him with felony battery, battery with injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a vehicle. The felony battery charge could result in a jail sentence of up to six years, if Sanchez is found guilty.

Police say the case revolves around a dispute over a parking space. Tole says he went to pick up used cooking oil at an Indianapolis hotel shortly after midnight on Saturday. He says he was then confronted by Sanchez, who tried to enter his truck. Tole says he though Sanchez was “trying to kill me” and used pepper spray to protect himself. When the spray did not stop Sanchez advancing on him, Tole said he stabbed the former quarterback “two or three times”. Sanchez then allegedly threw Tole against a dumpster before “a look of shock” came across the former quarterback’s face and he “took off”. Detectives have reviewed video footage of the incident.

“We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space and-or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone receiving just incredibly significant injures,” Marion county prosecutor Ryan Mears said on Monday.

Photos circulating on social media show Tole with a deep cut to his cheek. Sanchez was treated in hospital for stab wounds to his torso.

Sanchez told police “all he could remember was grabbing for a window.” The 38-year-old was in Indianapolis to cover the Colts’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. He was replaced in the Fox Sports booth by another former quarterback, Brady Quinn.

“This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved. Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,” Sanchez’s brother, Nick, said in a statement on Monday. “Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.”

The New York Jets picked Sanchez with the fifth overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft after he enjoyed a successful college career in his native California. He led the Jets to two AFC Championship games before spells with several teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. He announced his retirement from the NFL in 2019 and soon after began working with ESPN’s college football coverage before transitioning to Fox.

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