Doug Martin’s family speaks out after NFL star dies at 36
The family of former NFL running back Doug Martin have spoken out following his death in police custody.The ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers star was reportedly detained by officers in Oakland just before 5am on Saturday (October 18) after an alleged break-in at a home near the Oakland Zoo.The 36-year-old tragically suffered a 'medical emergency' shortly after, with Oakland Police Department stating that while officers attempted to 'detain the individual, a brief struggle ensued'."After being taken into custody, the individual became unresponsive," they added.Martin's family have previously spoken out to confirm the former NFL star's passing.
Now, the footballer's agent, Brian Murphy, issued the following statement on Monday on behalf of the star's family: "Athletes First and CEO Brian Murphy had the privilege of representing Doug Martin when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, following a stellar career at Boise State University.
"Doug Martin's distinguished NFL career-including two Pro Bowl appearances and a 2015 All-Pro honor-was celebrated by countless fans. Off the field, Doug was deeply committed to serving the communities of Boise, Idaho, Stockton, and Oakland California, where his generosity and spirit were well known.
"Privately, Doug battled mental health challenges that profoundly impacted his personal and professional life. Ultimately, mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run."
It continued: "Following recent media reports about Doug's untimely passing, the family wishes to clarify the circumstances. Doug's parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support.
"Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor's residence two doors down, where he was taken into custody by police. An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway."The family requests privacy as they navigate this heartbreaking loss."Martin, who rose to NFL stardom in the early 2010s, had been out of the league for several years.His death is now under investigation, with the department and internal affairs reviewing the incident.Tributes have since poured in, with one Buccaneers fan penning on X: "Losing Mike Williams, Vincent Jackson and now Doug Martin - 3 players of my childhood, stars on my favorite team hm gone entirely too soon hits like a freight train. Gone disgustingly too soon. Tell people you love them while you can."UNILAD has previously contacted Oakland Police Department for a comment.
An unspecified number of Oakland police officers have been placed on administrative leave after former NFL player Doug Martin died, reportedly in custody.
Bay Area News Group reports that law enforcement sources said Martin was detained and taken into custody shortly before 5am on Saturday (October 18) following a break-in at a home near Oakland Zoo.
And in a tragic update, Martin's family have confirmed the 36-year-old has died after suffering a medical emergency."It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning," the sports star's family said in a statement released on Sunday (October 19)."Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time."Oakland Police Department confirmed in a statement that a man had died after being taken into custody without naming Martin, and confirmed an investigation is underway following the incident.A statement from the Police Department said: "Officers responded to the area for an individual who had broken into a nearby residence. Simultaneously, officers 
were notified of an individual who
was experiencing a medical emergency and was believed to be the same individual related to the break-in."Upon arrival, officers located the individual inside the residence. While attempting to detain the individual, a brief struggle ensued. After being taken into custody, the individual became un
responsive."It continued: "Paramedic personnel arrived, provided medical aid, and transported the individual to an area hospital for further treatment. Unfortunately, the individual later died at the hospital."
As is common practice with such an incident, those officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation by OPD’s homicide unit is taking place.
Californian-born Martin garnered the nickname 'Muscle Hamster' during his playing career, which included a hugely successful spell with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin," the NFL team said in a statement. "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."
The Oakland Police Department said the former American football star - who spent most of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - died after being involved in an alleged home break-in and a struggle with officers on Saturday."While attempting to detain the individual, a brief struggle ensued," the department said, adding Martin became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.His family announced his passing and said his cause of death was "unconfirmed"."It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning," his family told US media. The family asked for "privacy at this time".In a statement, Martin's former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said they were "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," the team added.Born in Oakland, California, Martin was Tampa Bay's first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft. During his first season, Martin rushed for 1,454 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
Martin spent six of his seven NFL seasons playing for the Buccaneers, and was nicknamed the "Muscle Hamster" because of his high strength despite being relatively short for a professional player at 5ft 9in (1.75m) tall.
But he struggled with injuries and was also suspended in 2016 for four games for violating the NFL's drug policy, after testing positive for a banned substance. He apologised and went to a drug treatment facility.
Martin spent his final season with the Oakland Raiders, who are now based in Las Vegas, in 2018.The Denver Broncos honored former player Thomas, who tragically died at age 33 in December 2021, in a ceremony just before kickoff of their matchup against the Giants on Su
nday, Oct. 19.Before the game, which Denver won by a single point, a statue of Thomas' face was unveiled as a pillar in the team's Ring of Fame plaza outside Empower Field as part of the Broncos' 10-year anniversary celebration of their Super Bowl 50 team, which included Thomas.In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops. Dozens of Broncos fans were in attendance for the special moment, breaking out into a "D.T" chant to celebrate with Smith, who "broke down in tears" upon the unveiling,
"I'm wanting to touch his face again," Smith said as she caressed her son's bronze statue, per NFL.com. "This right here, it's like he's still here with us today and in our hearts. So, he lives on through all of us and through all the community and his fans."
Smith also told NFL.com, "That smile took me through some very hard times."
Gary Kubiak, the Broncos' former coach who worked with Thomas, also spoke about the former wide receiver's infectious positive spirit. "He put a smile on your face," said Kubiak, per NFL.com. "The NFL's tough. A lot of games, a lot of ups and downs, so you have some rough days. And D.T. could always catch you as a coach when you had a rough day and make you smile again and make you feel good."
Kubiak added, "D.T.'s just a tremendous person, tremendous player."
Thomas died just weeks before his 34th birthday in December 2021. After he was found unresponsive in his Georgia home on December 9, Smith and Thomas' father Bobby donated their son's brain to research. Months later, findings revealed that Thomas had suffered Stage 2 CTE and died from cardiac arrest following a separate seizure disorder, according to ABC News.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a rare and progressive degenerative brain condition likely caused by repeated head traumas, according to the Mayo Clinic. CTE can only be diagnosed after death, and in a 2017 study of the brains of 111 deceased NFL players, a Boston University researcher found that 110 of them had the disease.
In the year before his death, Thomas had been struggling with his mental health, as well as daily headaches and memory loss, his parents said at the time.
"[Demaryius] would tell me, he was like, 'Mom, I don't know what's goin' on with my body — I gotta get myself together.' And he said, 'I don't feel like myself anymore,' " Smith told ABC News after his death. "His mood would change, and he would also isolate himself sometimes," she added.
A man who died while in police custody after a break-in at a home in the Oakland hills over the weekend has been identified as a former National Football League star running back, police and the city’s mayor announced Monday.
Doug Martin, 36, of Stockton, died after officers had responded around 4:15 a.m. Saturday to a burglary reported at a home in the 11000 block of Ettrick Street, located in the Chabot Park neighborhood between the Oakland Zoo and Lake Chabot Golf Course.Officers arrived and found Martin, who they determined was involved in the break-in, Oakland police said in a news release.“While responding officers were attempting to detain him, a brief struggle occurred,” police said. “After being taken into custody, Martin became unresponsive.”
He was taken to a hospital where he later died, and authorities have not released a cause of death for Martin or other details about the case.Martin was born in Oakland and was a first-round NFL draft pick in 2012 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after playing college football at Boise State University. He made two Pro Bowls as a top player in the league during his time with Tampa Bay and also played for the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018.Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee issued a statement Monday afternoon about Martin’s death.“We mourn the loss of Doug Martin, an Oaklander who had a distinguished NFL career and tragically passed away Saturday morning,” Lee said. “Our condolences are with his family and loved ones, and my office has reached out to Mr. Martin’s family. They have asked for privacy during this time.”The death is being investigated by the Oakland Police Department’s homicide section and internal affairs bureau, the Oakland Police Commission and the city’s Community Police Review Agency, and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, as is standard policy for in-custody deaths, Oakland police said.
Posted on 2025/10/23 09:19 AM