The erstwhile Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back, Doug Martin, passed away following an occurrence involving law enforcement officers during his apprehension in Oakland on Saturday morning, as confirmed by authorities on Monday.
According to the police report, Martin was implicated in an unauthorized entry incident early Saturday. A “minor physical altercation” ensued as officers attempted to take him into custody, following which he reportedly became unresponsive soon after being detained. Subsequently, he was taken to a nearby medical facility, where he was later pronounced dead. He was 36 years of age.
Martin’s representative, Brian Murphy, issued a statement on Monday evening confirming that Martin had been contending with mental health concerns and his family was in the process of seeking professional help for him when the incident unfolded on Saturday.
“On a personal level, Doug faced mental health obstacles that significantly affected his life both personally and professionally,” Murphy expressed, in part. “In the end, mental illness proved to be the single adversary that Doug could not outpace.”
“In light of recent media coverage surrounding Doug’s unfortunate demise, the family wishes to provide clarification on the circumstances. Doug’s parents were actively pursuing medical care for him and had reached out to local law enforcement agencies for assistance. Overcome by feelings of being overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug left his residence in the dead of night and entered a neighbor’s home a couple of doors away, where he was apprehended by the police. An investigation into the events that transpired during his detainment is currently in progress.”
The Buccaneers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Boise State all released statements commemorating Martin later in the afternoon on Sunday.
“It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin,” the Buccaneers conveyed. “From his record-breaking inaugural season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selections throughout his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug left an enduring mark on our organization. He was a beloved figure among fans during his tenure in Tampa Bay and was recognized as one of the Top 50 Buccaneers of all time in recognition of his numerous accomplishments.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all those who were touched by Doug’s life.”
Martin dedicated seven seasons to the National Football League, with all but one season spent with the Buccaneers after they selected him as the 31st overall draft pick from Boise State in 2012. He excelled with the Broncos, playing a pivotal role on their 2009 squad that achieved an undefeated record and secured victory in the Fiesta Bowl. Martin accumulated consecutive seasons of over 1,200 rushing yards to conclude his collegiate career.
In totality, the “Muscle Hamster” achieved 17 games with over 100 rushing yards during his college career and concluded with 3,431 rushing yards, a figure that remains within the top-10 all-time at Boise State. The Broncos consistently held a top-10 national ranking and amassed an impressive record of 50-3 during his four seasons under the guidance of head coach Chris Petersen.
Upon entering the league, Martin experienced his most successful season immediately. He achieved 1,454 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns as a rookie, both representing career-highs. Martin faced limitations due to injuries for significant portions of his career, but he achieved another campaign of over 1,400 rushing yards in 2015. This accomplishment facilitated a long-term contract extension with the team, but it ultimately unraveled, leading to his release two seasons later following a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
He subsequently signed with the Oakland Raiders for a concluding season in 2018 and collaborated with Marshawn Lynch in the backfield before retiring. In total, he amassed 5,356 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns across 84 games.
