Former NFL All-Pro running back and Boise State star Doug Martin is dead at the age of 36, his family said in a statement on Sunday.
TMZ and FOX were among the media organizations to confirm the news with people close to Martin. 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.”
According to the East Bay Times, Martin died while in Oakland police custody early Saturday morning. The newspaper, citing multiple sources close to the investigation, reported that police were responding to a reported home break-in just after 4.15am in East Oakland when a “brief struggle” occurred before Martin became unresponsive after being taken into custody.
The Times said the incident began when officers were called to a home on the 11000 block of Ettrick Street, in a neighborhood near the Oakland Zoo. Police “simultaneously” received notice that the suspected burglar was having “a medical emergency,” according to a statement by the Oakland police department cited by the Times.
A “brief struggle” ensued when officers contacted the suspected burglar, police said. The person then became unresponsive after being taken into custody, according to the department. After receiving medical aid from paramedics on scene, the person was taken to a hospital, where they later died, the Times reported.
The Alameda county coroner’s office has yet to release the name of the person who died. Officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, following department policy. As is customary after in-custody deaths, the matter is being investigated by the Oakland police department’s homicide unit, internal affairs bureau, 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 the majority of his career, issued a statement 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 through 2011, placing him eighth on the school’s all-time rushing list. He is also sixth with 43 career rushing touchdowns.
