Former National Football League (NFL) running back Doug Martin has died at the age of 36 while in police custody in California. The Oakland Police Department reported that Martin, who previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, passed away after an alleged home break-in and a subsequent struggle with officers on Saturday.
According to the department, Martin became unresponsive during a brief struggle with officers while they attempted to detain him. He was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. His family has since confirmed his passing, stating that the cause of death is currently unconfirmed and requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Martin’s former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, released a statement expressing their profound sorrow over his sudden and unexpected death. They acknowledged Martin’s significant impact on the franchise, from his record-setting rookie season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons with the team.
Originally from Oakland, California, Martin was a highly anticipated first-round pick for the Buccaneers in the 2012 NFL draft. In his debut season, he achieved remarkable success, rushing for 1,454 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. Standing at 5ft 9in (1.75m), he earned the nickname “Muscle Hamster” due to his impressive strength relative to his stature.
Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Martin spent six seasons with the Buccaneers. He also played for the Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas Raiders) at the conclusion of his career in 2018. His career was marked by challenges, including injuries and a four-game suspension in 2016 for violating the NFL’s drug policy, for which he issued an apology and sought treatment.
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