Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez is a former NFL quarterback known for his tenure with the New York Jets. He played college football at the University of Southern California (USC), and was drafted by the Jets in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Sanchez gained attention during his first three years at USC as a backup quarterback and stepped into the limelight in 2007 following injuries to starting quarterback John David Booty. His leadership in 2008 led USC to a 12–1 record, culminating in a Rose Bowl victory against Penn State. Despite concerns about his experience from USC coach Pete Carroll and scouts, Sanchez entered the 2009 NFL Draft and embarked on a significant NFL career.

During his rookie year, Sanchez was recognized as part of the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in his first two seasons, joining Ben Roethlisberger as one of the only two quarterbacks in NFL history to reach the conference championships in their first two seasons. He retired from professional football on July 23, 2019, and transitioned to a career in broadcasting. Initially working with Fox Sports, Sanchez is currently a college football analyst at ESPN, contributing to studio broadcasts on Saturdays and making appearances on shows like "College Football Live" and "Get Up!"

Beyond his sports career, Sanchez is actively involved in philanthropy, particularly focusing on childhood obesity and Type 1 diabetes. He has collaborated with organizations like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Sam’s Club’s Giving Made Simple. Moreover, Sanchez owns a tequila company called Mezcal Compante. As a speaker, he discusses a variety of topics including "Balance," "Entrepreneurship," "Inspiration," "NFL," "Peak Performance," "Philanthropy," and "Power of Story," tailoring his keynote speeches to diverse audiences such as entrepreneurs, sports professionals, and broadcasters.