Mark Sanchez’s family has issued a statement after he was charged with a felony over a stabbing in Indianapolis.The former New York Jets quarterback was arrested in hospital on Sunday after an overnight altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver.Mark Sanchez was hospitalized and then arrested over the weekendGettySanchez originally faced three misdemeanors, but Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears upgraded the charges on Monday.The 38-year-old is now charged with one count of battery resulting in a serious violent injury.“Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,” Sanchez’s family said.“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.”Mark Sanchez facing possible prison sentenceSanchez’s charge is a Level 5 felony, which carries a potential one-to-six year sentence and a $10,000 fine.The victim has filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez in Marion County, seeking unspecified monetary damages after suffering ‘significant injuries to his head, jaw and neck.’Per WXIN, the driver told police that the former NFL star attempted to climb into his vehicle while ‘smelling of alcohol.’The driver told authorities that he pulled out pepper spray and a knife in self-defense, according to police documents,Sanchez, who married wife Perry Mattfeld in 2023, was stabbed several times in his torso, while the driver suffered a ‘severe laceration to the side of his face, penetrating all the way through his left cheek,’ per court documents.Sanchez could face up to six years in jailGettyThe quarterback enjoyed his best form with the JetsGettyWXIN’s Angela Ganote reported that Sanchez told police he could remember “grabbing for a window” but had no clue who stabbed him or why.Mears confirmed the new charge in a press conference on Monday.“This incident should never have happened,” he 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.”Sanchez was in Indianapolis to call the Colts’ showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders for Fox Sports, with the network calling up a replacement crew.Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.NFL's Greatest......Ranking the top 10......Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and moreTight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?