Former NFL Star Loses Fox Sports Role After Shocking Stabbing Incident

More than a month after a violent incident, one of Fox Sports' notable personalities has left their position with the network. Mark Sanchez became a Fox Sports analyst in July 2021 and continued in that role until he recently left that role while also facing serious legal charges.

On top of Sanchez leaving his position, it has also been revealed that Fox Sports has quickly hired a new NFL analyst to replace him.

Mark Sanchez Departs Fox Sports Following a Stabbing Incident That Resulted in Him Facing Felony Charges

On November 7, 2025, TMZ broke the news that Fox Sports and Mark Sanchez had parted ways following a shocking incident a month earlier. The news of Sanchez's departure from his NFL analyst role for the network was then confirmed by an Associated Press article that quoted the following statement from a Fox Sports spokesperson.

“We can confirm that Mark Sanchez is no longer with the network. There will be no further comment at this time."

Before Sanchez left his position, he'd already been absent from television for more than a month. The former NFL quarterback was pulled from the air following an October 4, 2025, downtown Indianapolis incident with a 69-year-old truck driver named Perry Tole turned shockingly violent.

An October 2025 Indianapolis Star article reported that Sanchez reportedly became angry because of where Tole parked his work box truck in a loading dock. The resulting argument allegedly culminated in Sanchez rushing at Tole, who stabbed the former NFL star in the upper torso shortly before 12:30 a.m. The outlet reported that Tole told the police that he pepper-sprayed Sanchez before the stabbing, but that had no effect. Tole also stated that he then stabbed Sanchez after thinking, “This guy is trying to kill me.” Both men were rushed to the hospital as Tole suffered a laceration to his left cheek.

The Indianapolis Star's article quoted Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears' statement to the press about Sanchez and Tole's altercation. “This incident should never have happened. 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.”

In November 2025, People reported that Sanchez has been charged with a felony for battery resulting in serious bodily injury. Sanchez also reportedly is facing three misdemeanor charges of battery resulting in bodily injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication that endangers the life of another.

Fox Sports Hires Drew Brees as New NFL Analyst

As a part of the Associated Press' aforementioned article confirming Mark Sanchez's departure, the outlet reported that Fox Sports has hired Drew Brees as an NFL Analyst. To be specific, the AP reported that Brees had been hired to replace Sanchez, and he will team with the play-by-play announcer Adam Amin and sideline reporter Kristina Pink.

Brees will be making his debut in his new role as an NFL analyst on November 16, 2025. This won't be the first time Brees will be working in broadcasting following his 20 year career in the NFL. Brees previously worked as an NBC analyst for Notre Dame college football games, and he spoke during several episodes of the same network's Football Night in America.

The Associated Press' article quoted Fox Sports president of production & operations and executive producer Brad Zager's statement on Brees' hiring. “Drew is one of the best to ever play the game, and we couldn’t be more excited to have his prolific credentials and unique insights as part of our coverage on Sundays. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Fox Sports family.”