Mark Sanchez and Perry Tole (Photos via USA Today and Google)
Perry Tole, the 69-year-old man who Mark Sanchez allegedly assaulted, has broken his silence for the first time since he was forced to StΛb the former NFL quarterback.

Tole reportedly said that “faith guided his hands” when he StΛb bed the former Jets quarterback in what he told police was an act of self-defense.

Tole was reportedly driving a cooking oil recycling collection truck on a route in Indianapolis when he parked his truck at a loading dock in an alley between the Westin and Marriott downtown hotels. That is when he first encountered Sanchez.

The former New York Jets quarterback was in town to get ready to call the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders on Fox Sports. He would ultimately be replaced by former Notre Dame football quarterback Brady Quinn.

“I’m fairly positive he has never been in a fight in his entire life,” Gregg Keesling, Tole’s longtime friend, told Fox 59.

“He’s a very peaceful man, and in this situation, I think faith guided him, as he told me, ‘Faith guided my hands to protect myself.’ “

”Perry doesn’t fight. In fact, I think this is probably the first fight that Perry’s ever been in in his entire life,” said Keesling. “As a matter of fact, he told me that last night. He said, ‘I’m gonna go on record. I don’t fight.’”

Gregg Keesling further spoke on Perry Tole receiving a deep penetrating laceration to his cheek, making speech difficult as a result of Mark Sanchez’s actions.

”He’s beat up pretty bad, I think, both emotionally and physically, he needs some time,” said Keesling. ”He needs to heal. He’s hurt pretty bad. His son is getting married this weekend. I don’t think he’s going to be able to attend the wedding because of the injuries that he has.”

What Charges Mark Sanchez Is Facing

Over the weekend, Mark Sanchez was arrested while in the hospital on allegations of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication, all misdemeanors.

He was StΛb bed, but he wasn’t the victim. His actions against an elderly man got him hurt. Released footage later showed the analyst walking on the sidewalk, clutching that area following a confrontation with Perry Tole.

Sanchez, who was arrested Saturday and charged with three misdemeanors, has since been charged with Level 5 felony battery.

A Level 5 felony battery charge can carry a one-to-six year sentence and a $10,000 fine. Sanchez has since been sued and is facing a real possibility of losing his broadcasting job.