In the wake of former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez getting stabbed, hospitalized and arrested after an alleged bloody fight with a 69-year-old grease truck driver in Indianapolis, Brady Quinn was hit with a “whirlwind.”
The ex-Browns QB who starred at Notre Dame is one of the stars of Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” college football pregame show, and five minutes before the show went on the air in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday at 10 a.m., he found out he would need to replace Sanchez on the call for Sunday’s Colts-Raiders game.
But rather than go straight to Indianapolis, Quinn first went home to Columbus, Ohio, to prep for the NFL broadcast before hopping in his van Sunday morning at 6 a.m. for the 1 p.m. game.
“It’s been a whirlwind to say the least — not much sleep and mixed emotions,” Quinn told Sports Illustrated. “Obviously concerned for Mark’s health and the well-being of all those involved, but at the same time excited for the opportunity to call a game. However, it’s not ideal.
“I pride myself on preparation, and there’s not enough time to prepare in the manner I am accustomed to. I’m very appreciative of all the folks behind the scenes at Fox and coaches on both teams who went out of their way to help.”
Quinn, 40, uses the Jeevz service to have someone drive him in his van so he can work, and he participated in Zoom calls on his way back to Columbus before doing film work at night, per SI. He also spoke with Colts head coach Shane Steichen and assistant coaches from both teams.
Quinn was briefly a Jet during 2013, when Sanchez missed the season after injuring his shoulder during a preseason game. He was teammates with then-rookie Geno Smith, who quarterbacked the Raiders Sunday in a 40-6 loss.
Chris Myers called Sunday’s game with Quinn, and the pair did not have a sideline reporter.
“So it was just Chris and me talking ball for three hours, which I love,” Quinn told SI. “Hopefully, the fan bases enjoyed the call. You can never make everyone happy, especially in lopsided outcomes, but given the circumstances, I thought everyone did very well.”
Sanchez was initially charged with several misdemeanors, but on Monday, Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said Sanchez is now facing an upgraded charge of Level 5 felony battery of causing serious injury.
It is unclear who will replace Sanchez in the Fox booth in the likely event he misses more time.
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