Comedian Benedict Polizzi is raising eyebrows with his latest Halloween costume.
Days before the official holiday, the former FBOY Island contestant decided to dress up as former NFL player Mark Sanchez.
“It’s my bday😭,” Polizzi, 45, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, October 28. “Meanest comment gets pinned.”
For his costume, the reality star — who appeared in season 2 of HBO Max’s reality show — wore a New York Jets jersey with some football pads, white sneakers and black football eye. Polizzi also added some fake blood to the No. 6 jersey near his torso.
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“Not funny,” one user wrote in the comments section. Another added, “This post reminded me to unfollow you. Happy bday btw.”
Other followers, however, appeared to have no problem with Polizzi’s costume.
“Happy birthday to a handsome and funny man! I am just out here being nice,” one fan shared in the comments section. Another user poked fun at the Jets’ losing 1 – 7 record for the 2025 season by writing, “You will prolly be as good as the past 20 Jets QB’s…..that’s not saying much.”
When reached by Us Weekly for additional comment, Polizzi said, “Go Jets.” His next comedy show is scheduled for December 4 in Sacramento, California.
Sanchez, 38, is a former NFL quarterback best known for his time with the New York Jets. He later transitioned into a career as a football analyst once he retired from the sport in 2019.
On October 4, however, Sanchez made headlines when he was hospitalized after being stabbed during an altercation in Indianapolis.
According to an affidavit for probable cause obtained by Us, Sanchez allegedly approached a 69-year-old delivery driver at a loading dock.
The man told detectives that Sanchez appeared intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. He used pepper spray to defend himself, but when Sanchez continued advancing, he pulled a knife and stabbed Sanchez several times in self-defense.
After consulting with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, police arrested Sanchez on October 4 at the hospital for battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, all of which are misdemeanors.
Prosecutors later added a felony 5 charge to the list of other alleged offenses against Sanchez. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is expected to stand trial in Marion County, Indiana, on December 11.
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“Right now, I’m just focused on my recovery, and I just wanted to thank the first responders at Eskenazi Hospital,” Sanchez said in an interview with local news outlets Fox59 News and CBS 4 Indy on October 12. “I just want to thank Dr. [Lindsey] Mossler, the surgeon. She saved my life, so I’m grateful for that.”
While he acknowledged to reporters that he “can’t answer all your questions” regarding the incident, Sanchez said his recovery is expected to be a “long process.”
The man allegedly attacked by Sanchez has also filed a separate lawsuit against Sanchez. The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, and costs and expenses of this action, including attorney’s fees. Us reached out to Sanchez’s attorneys for comment at the time of the filing.
