Former NFL star Doug Martin dies in police custody after incident

Doug Martin, Former NFL Star Running Back, Passes Away

In an event that has shocked the sports world, Doug Martin, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back and All-Pro selection, died in police custody on Saturday morning. The incident took place in Oakland, California, according to authorities. Oakland police responded to a call about a break-in around 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, encountering Martin at the scene.

“Before his death, Martin was involved in a raid on an Oakland residence,” stated the Oakland Police Department.

Oakland Police Department

According to the police report, a brief struggle occurred when officers attempted to detain Martin. After being taken into custody, Martin stopped responding. Paramedics arrived at the scene, provided medical assistance, and transported him to a local hospital, where he later died. Martin, 36 years old, was a prominent figure in the NFL. Athletes First, which represented Martin during his NFL career, issued a statement mentioning the mental health challenges the athlete faced. The agency also revealed that Martin’s family sought to clarify the circumstances of his death.

“Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support. Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug ran away from home during the night and entered a neighbor’s residence, where he was apprehended by the police. What happened while he was detained is being investigated,” Athletes First communicated.

Athletes First

The investigation into the death in custody is being carried out by the Homicide Section, the OPD’s Office of Internal Affairs, the Oakland City Police Commission, and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. The Buccaneers, the team with which Martin played six of his seven NFL seasons, remembered him as a “fan favorite” who had “a lasting impact on our franchise.” He was selected as one of the top 50 players in franchise history. With a height of 5 feet 9 inches, Martin was known for his hard-hitting playing style, earning him the nickname “Muscle Hamster.” Throughout his NFL career, he accumulated 5,356 yards and 30 touchdowns. Boise State star, he was the 31st pick of the first round by Tampa Bay in 2012. In his first season, he ran for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as catching 49 passes for 472 yards and another touchdown, earning him a Pro Bowl selection. At that time, he had the third-most yards from scrimmage for a rookie in NFL history.

His best season was in 2015, when he was selected All-Pro, rushing for 1,402 yards and six touchdowns, and had 33 receptions for 271 yards and another touchdown.

Martin spent two more seasons in Tampa Bay and finished his career in 2018 with the Raiders. Originally from California, Martin attended Boise State from 2007 to 2011, where he is among the top 10 in career rushing yards and career touchdowns at the school. He was named to the first team of the conference twice.