Fans of Former Quarterback Mark Sanchez Are Wondering About His Politics Amid His Arrest

Fans of former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez were shocked to learn that the sports commentator had been arrested for a fight that ended with him and a 69-year-old man being stabbed. The altercation happened in downtown Indianapolis on Oct. 4, 2025, per WFLA News.

Sanchez reportedly attacked the man in a drunken state, and he was initially arrested on several misdemeanor charges, including public intoxication, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and battery resulting in injury. The battery charge has since been upgraded to a felony, per CNN.

According to the Indy Star, the altercation sparked a debate on X between the Republican governor of Indiana, Gov. Mike Braun, and the prosecutor of Marion County, Ryan Mears, after the governor posted and later deleted a statement about violence in Indianapolis that blamed the prosecutor.

So, what are Sanchez's politics? Is he a Republican?

Sanchez was in attendance at Trump's 2017 inauguration, per Sporting News. It's unclear if he is still a Trump supporter.

The Fox Sports analyst was arrested after he was involved in an altercation that resulted in him and a 69-year-old man being stabbed. Sanchez was in Indianapolis for a Raiders-Colts game, and he was arrested after being treated at the Eskenazi Hospital.

According to a new affidavit filed Monday, Sanchez was running in an alley near the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown when he approached the 69-year-old man. The man works for a company that exchanges commercial frying oil and was parked in a loading dock area of a hotel. Sanchez was angry that his truck was blocking the alley and approached the man, who told Indianapolis Police Department detectives that the sports analyst was slurring his speech and reeked of alcohol.

The man also told detectives that Sanchez climbed into his truck, and the police viewed video footage of Sanchez throwing the man against a wall. The man pepper-sprayed Sanchez and pulled out his knife after the former quarterback came at him. He then stabbed Sanchez several times. "This guy is trying to kill me," said the man.

The IPD were later called to the Loughmiller’s Pub and Eatery on West Washington Street and found the sports commentator with several stab wounds to his upper torso, and they found the 69-year-old man with a large laceration on his left cheek. Graphic pictrues of the man in his hospital bed were shared on social media.

The incident prompted Republican Governor Mike Braun to post a statement on X before he learned that Mark Sanchez was the initiator of the attack.

"I've been clear: city leaders must do their jobs and hold criminals accountable," he wrote. "When Indianapolis headlines national news for a lack of public safety, it hurts our city and our state. Hoosiers deserve better. Praying for a full recovery for Mark Sanchez."

The governor later deleted the statement on X after learning Sanchez was the aggressor.

The Marion County prosecutor responded with his own post calling out the governor for trying to "exploit" the altercation for political points.

"The governor attempted to exploit senseless violence for political gain without knowing any facts," he wrote. "The truth didn’t fit his narrative, and he deleted his tweet. Real leadership requires a basic understanding of facts and a desire to do more than just blame others."

“This incident should never have happened," he later said. "What began as a disagreement between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated into violence or left anyone seriously injured. As with any case, we will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead."

IMPD Police Chief Chris Bailey also spoke on the incident.

“I don’t care who you are, I don’t care what you do for a living, I don’t care where you live," he said. "If you come into our city and commit violence, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold you accountable."