Controversial sportscaster Dan Dakich has sparked a backlash and accusations of racism over comments he made on the stabbing of Mark Sanchez.
Ex-NFL star Sanchez, 38, was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries on Saturday morning after allegedly being stabbed during a dispute with a food delivery driver around 12:30 am. Fox Sports later said Sanchez was in stable condition.
In a shocking twist a few hours later, it was revealed that Sanchez had been arrested at the hospital on suspicion of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication.
But earlier on Saturday afternoon, Dakich – a former college basketball player who now works for Outkick – made X-rated comments on the topic on social media.
He wrote on X: ‘Sanchez or anyone being stabbed downtown indy should not be a surprise.
‘We have a ton of fatherless and armed African American kids descending on downtown Indy every weekend if that offends you f off as the chief of police [Christopher] Bailey and Rev [Charles] Harrison have told you this!’
Ex-NFL star Mark Sanchez was rushed to the hospital after allegedly being stabbed
Dan Dakich has sparked a backlash and accusations of racism over comments on the incident
His comments sparked outrage on social media, with prominent quarterback coach Quincy Avery among those to hit out at Dakich.
‘How you jump from 0 to racist so fast?’ wrote Avery, who has worked with the likes of Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields.
‘You have no idea who was the aggressor, who the other individual is but you post some dumb s*** like this?’ another user wrote.
Later, when it was pointed out to Dakich that Sanchez had in fact been arrested, the sportscaster doubled down.
He wrote on X: ‘Why would I “feel” any way but saying Indy is ridiculous and has a crime problem overwhelmingly committed, according to @IMPDnews Chief Bailey and African American leader @charlesharriso5 by fatherless armed african american youths… why would that change ? grow tf [the f***] up.’
The Daily Mail reached out to Outkick for comment. Cops, meanwhile, have said that Sanchez is still in the hospital and has not yet been booked into jail.
The former Jets quarterback was in Indianapolis to call Sunday’s NFL game between the Colts and Raiders for Fox. The Daily Mail has reached out to the network for comment.
The former New York Jets star was set to call the Colts-Raiders game on Sunday for Fox Sports
Police initially said that one of the men in the incident – now known to be Sanchez – was left with injuries ‘consistent with’ stab wounds, while the other man was allegedly hospitalized as well with ‘significant injuries’, FOX59/CBS4 reported.
Citing a police report, FOX59 anchor Angela Ganote reported that the alleged victim informed cops that he was delivering food when the Fox Sports commentator told him he needed to move his vehicle and couldn’t park where he was.
Sanchez is accused of threatening, following and attacking the man, who tried to pepper spray him unsuccessfully. He claimed it was at that time that he defended himself with a knife.
Officers noted that the alleged victim had a significant injury to his face, Ganote added. The incident is said to have happened near Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery.
