Mark Sanchez is paying tribute to his former New York Jets teammate Nick Mangold.
Sanchez took to Instagram on Sunday to share a heartfelt message remembering Mangold, who died Saturday at age 41 of complications from kidney disease. The two used to be teammates on the New York Jets for four seasons. from 2009-12.
“We lost a good man today,” Sanchez wrote. “I know @realnickmangold will be a hall-of-famer, but there’s more to his story than his accomplishments on the gridiron. He was more than a teammate. He was my big brother who introduced me to the NFL. He showed me the ropes. He was my friend and confidant. He was a role model and a great father to his children and husband to his wife. Our hearts are heavy. We will miss you. Rest easy amigo. I love you big fella. #74.”
The post, which shared photos of him and Mangold during Jets games as well as them on a cover of Sports Illustrated, comes after Sanchez has remained silent on social media for the past couple of weeks since his arrest.
Earlier this month, the Fox Sports analyst was hospitalized following a stabbing incident. On Oct. 4, Sanchez was arrested and faced with misdemeanor charges. However, on Oct. 6, Sanchez was charged with a level five felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury, which carries a potential sentence of up to six years in prison.
According to the Associated Press, the incident in which Sanchez was injured happened over parking. Sanchez allegedly approached a 69-year-old truck driver who backed into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis. This caused a confrontation and the truck driver pulled out a knife to allegedly defend himself.
Sanchez’s trial date is set for Dec. 11.
