Former NFL running back Doug Martin has passed away at the age of 36 while in police custody in California. The Oakland Police Department reported that Martin died following an incident involving an alleged home break-in and a confrontation with officers on Saturday. The department stated that a brief struggle occurred during efforts to detain him, after which he became unresponsive. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His family confirmed the news and mentioned that the cause of death remains “unconfirmed.” They have requested privacy during this time. In a statement, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Martin’s primary team during his career, expressed their sorrow over his unexpected passing. The team noted Martin’s significant contributions, highlighting achievements such as a record-setting rookie season in 2012 and multiple Pro Bowl selections throughout his six years with the franchise.
Doug Martin was born in Oakland, California, and was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. In his inaugural season, he rushed for 1,454 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Known for his impressive strength despite standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall, he earned the nickname “Muscle Hamster.” However, his career faced challenges due to injuries and a four-game suspension in 2016 after violating the NFL’s drug policy. Martin later apologized and entered a drug treatment program. His final season in the NFL was with the Oakland Raiders in 2018, before the team relocated to Las Vegas.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6297qm94z0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss