Former NFL All-Pro and Boise State standout Doug Martin has died at age 36, his family said in a statement Sunday.
TMZ and FOX were among the media organizations that confirmed the news with people close to Martin. A statement from his family provided to FOX read: “It is with great sadness that I must inform you all of the passing of Doug Martin on Saturday morning. The cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.”
According to the East Bay Times, Martin He died while in Oakland police custody Early Saturday morning. Police were responding to a report of a home invasion just after 4:15 a.m. in East Oakland when a “brief struggle” occurred before Martin became unresponsive after being taken into custody, the newspaper reported, citing multiple sources close to the investigation.
The incident began when officers were called to a home in the 11000 block of Ettrick Street, in a neighborhood near the Oakland Zoo, the Times said. Police “at the same time” received notification that the suspected thief was experiencing a “medical emergency,” according to a statement from the Oakland Police Department cited by the Times..
Police said a “brief struggle” broke out when officers made contact with the suspected thief. According to the department, the person became unresponsive after being taken into custody. The newspaper reported that after receiving medical assistance from paramedics at the scene, the person was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the name of the person who died. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, in accordance with 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, for whom Martin played most of his career, issued a statement Sunday afternoon:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Doug Martin’s sudden and unexpected passing. From his record-breaking 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, most of which he spent in Tampa Bay, though he did add a second Pro Bowl appearance and a 1,400-yard season in 2015, when he was a first-team All-Pro.
Despite the injuries, Martin managed to exceed 400 yards rushing in every campaign of his career. This level of consistency has allowed him to finish fourth on Tampa Bay’s all-time rushing chart with 4,633 yards over six seasons. He also ranks third all-time in rushing touchdowns for the Buccaneers, with 26.
He finished his seven-year career with one season playing with the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Martin was also one of Boise State’s all-time greats, rushing for 3,431 yards from 2007 through 2011, which placed him eighth on the school’s all-time rushing list. He also ranks sixth with 43 career rushing touchdowns.