A truck driver, aged 69, who sustained serious injuries in a confrontation allegedly initiated by former NFL quarterback and sports analyst Mark Sanchez, has initiated legal action against Sanchez and Fox Corporation, his employer, in an Indiana state court.
Perry Tole’s lawyers filed the lawsuit on Monday seeking unspecified actual and punitive damages, along with legal fees. The lawsuit claims Sanchez incited a physical altercation with Tole late Saturday night outside a downtown Indianapolis hotel, resulting in “severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function,” and other physical and emotional harm.
Police reported that Tole also stabbed Sanchez multiple times during the altercation. A photo of Tole in a neck brace, lying on a hospital bed with blood and a deep gash on his face, has circulated online.
Fox Sports declined to comment on the lawsuit via email. Attorneys representing Sanchez in his criminal case refrained from commenting on the lawsuit as well.
Tole’s legal representatives, who demanded a jury trial in the lawsuit, did not respond to inquiries for comments.
Sanchez faces a felony battery charge, in addition to several misdemeanor charges, stemming from what prosecutors described as a dispute over parking.
Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears stated at a press briefing that the incident involved a physical altercation over a parking spot, resulting in significant injuries to one party.
The police affidavit indicated that the 38-year-old Sanchez, who smelled of alcohol, confronted Tole after Tole had reversed his truck into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis. According to Tole’s lawsuit, Sanchez entered Tole’s truck without permission, physically obstructed and pushed Tole, prompting Tole to use pepper spray on Sanchez.
When Sanchez continued to advance after being sprayed, Tole resorted to using a knife in self-defense, authorities reported.
Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, as per the police affidavit.
Sanchez was in Indianapolis for Fox’s coverage of the Colts versus Las Vegas Raiders game on Sunday.
Having had a decade-long NFL career before retiring in 2019, Sanchez played for the Jets for four seasons and made appearances for Philadelphia, Dallas, and Washington.
He transitioned to ABC and ESPN for two years before becoming a game analyst for Fox Sports in 2021.