Former NFL All-Pro running back Doug Martin has died at the age of 36, his family said in a statement on Sunday, with media reports identifying him as a man who died in police custody on Saturday.
TMZ and FOX were among the media organizations to confirm Martin’s death with people close to him on Sunday. A statement from his family provided to Fox read: “It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning. Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.”
Martin, a native of Stockton, Calif., played the majority of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Multiple outlets reported Sunday night that Martin died Saturday after suffering an unspecified medical emergency while in custody of the Oakland Police Department. According to Bay Area Fox affiliate KTVU, police were called at about 4:15 a.m. on Saturday about a possible break-in at an Oakland-area home, but at the same time police also received reports of a person “experiencing a medical emergency” at the same location.
According to The Vacaville Reporter, when police contacted Martin, a “brief struggle” took place and he became unresponsive after being taken into custody. From there, he was taken by paramedics to a hospital, where he later died.
The OPD did not specify a reason for the suspect being taken into custody. The deceased had not been identified by the Alameda County Coroner’s Office as of Sunday. The police involved have reportedly been placed on administrative leave, as is department policy.
According to the reports, the incident — as is customary for in-custody deaths — is being investigated by the OPD’s homicide unit and internal affairs bureau, the civilian-led Oakland police commission, the Community Police Review Agency and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
The Buccaneers issued a statement on Sunday afternoon:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin. From his record-setting rookie season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise.”
After being selected No. 31 overall in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Martin made an immediate impact for the Buccaneers as a rookie, making the Pro Bowl and NFL All-Rookie Team after a 1,454-yard, 11-touchdown season.
Injuries hampered Martin throughout the rest of his career, mostly spent in Tampa Bay, though he added a second Pro Bowl appearance and 1,400-yard season in 2015, when he was a first-team All-Pro.
Despite the injuries, Martin managed to exceed 400 yards rushing every campaign of his career. That level of consistency allowed him to place fourth on Tampa Bay’s all-time rushing yards chart with 4,633 yards over six seasons. He’s also third all-time in Buccaneers rushing touchdowns, with 26.
He finished his seven-year career with one season playing for the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Martin was also one of the all-time greats for Boise State, rushing for 3,431 yards from 2007-11, placing him eighth on the school’s all-time rushing list. He is also sixth with 43 career rushing touchdowns.
–Field Level Media
