Mark Sanchez Released from Jail, Comments on Recovery in Video After Stabbing Incident

Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was released from the hospital and then booked and released at Marion County Jail on Sunday as he faces multiple charges following an altercation in which he was stabbed in Indianapolis.

Sanchez told Max Lewis of Fox 59 Indianapolis that he is "focused on his recovery" while also thanking first responders and the staff at the hospital that "saved my life."

Lewis reported a judge required Sanchez to go to the jail to be fingerprinted and take a mugshot, which was required for him to leave the state of Indiana.

Authorities announced on Monday that the former quarterback is facing a felony battery charge that carries a potential prison sentence of one to six years in addition to multiple misdemeanors.

According to a police affidavit, Sanchez, 38, was the one who initiated a confrontation with 69-year-old truck driver Perry Tole. Tole said he used the knife and pepper spray to defend himself during the incident that happened outside of an Indianapolis hotel.

Kyle Feldscher of CNN reported there was a lawsuit filed on Tole's behalf against both Sanchez and Fox Sports. Sanchez is an NFL analyst for Fox and was in Indianapolis as part of the network's broadcast for the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders.

The lawsuit stated Toles suffered "permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress and other damages" stemming from the altercation. It also said Fox should have been aware of Sanchez's "propensity for drinking and/or harmful conduct."

Sanchez's comments on Sunday come after his brother, Nick, released a statement on behalf of the family.

"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," the statement read.

"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."

Sanchez entered the NFL in 2009 and played through the 2018 season for the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Washington.

He is scheduled for a pretrial conference for the criminal court case on Nov. 5.