Ex-NFL star Doug Martin dies aged 36 after reported struggle with police | NFL
Former NFL All-Pro running back and Boise State star Doug Martin has died at the age of 36, his family announced in a statement Sunday.
TMZ and FOX were among the media to confirm the news with Martin’s loved ones. A statement from his family provided to FOX read: “It is with great sadness to inform you that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning. The cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.”
According to the East Bay Times, Martin died while in police custody in Oakland early Saturday morning. The newspaper, citing several sources close to the investigation, reported that police were responding to a reported burglary just after 4:15 a.m. in East Oakland when a “brief struggle” occurred before Martin responded after being taken into custody.
The Times said the incident began when officers were called to a home in the 11000 block of Ettrick Street, in a neighborhood near the Oakland Zoo. Police were “simultaneously” informed that the suspected burglar was having “a medical emergency,” according to a statement from the Oakland Police Department cited by the Times..
A “brief struggle” ensued when officers contacted the suspected burglar, police said. The individual then became unresponsive after being taken into custody, according to the department. After receiving medical aid from paramedics on scene, the person was transported to a hospital, where they later died, the Times reported.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the name of the deceased. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, per department policy. As is usual after in-custody deaths, the case is being investigated by the Oakland Police Department’s homicide unit, the Bureau of Internal Affairs, the civilian-led Oakland Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, according to the Times..
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom Martin played for most of his career, released a statement Sunday afternoon:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin. From his record-breaking rookie season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug had a lasting impact on our franchise.”
After being selected 31st overall in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Martin made an immediate impact on the Buccaneers as a rookie, making the Pro Bowl and the NFL All-Rookie Team after a 1,454-yard, 11-touchdown season.
Injuries hampered Martin throughout his career, mostly spent in Tampa Bay, although he added a second Pro Bowl appearance and a 1,400-yard season in 2015, when he was a first-team All-Pro.
Despite injuries, Martin managed to surpass 400 rushing yards in every campaign of his career. This level of consistency has allowed him to rank fourth in Tampa Bay’s all-time rushing yards chart with 4,633 yards over six seasons. He is also third all-time in Buccaneers rushing touchdowns, with 26.
He finished his seven-year career with one season with the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Martin was also one of the all-time greats for Boise State, totaling 3,431 rushing yards from 2007 to 2011, placing him eighth on the school’s all-time list. He is also sixth with 43 career rushing touchdowns.
