A former NFL player has died after being taken into police custody in Oakland early Saturday morning, according to ABC News.
Authorities said the incident occurred just before 5 a.m. on Ettrick Street near the Oakland Zoo, where officers responded to reports of a break-in. The man, identified by the Bay Area News Group as Martin, was arrested at the scene.
Police say Martin experienced a medical emergency while being detained. Officers reported a brief struggle before he became unresponsive. Despite attempts to revive him, Martin was later pronounced dead. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
“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,” Oakland Police Department said in a statement.
Oakland police said the officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with departmental policy.
Doug Martin, a former All-Pro running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has died at the age of 36, his family announced on Sunday.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Doug Martin, who died Saturday morning,” his family said in a statement obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.
Martin, who played six of his seven NFL seasons with Tampa Bay, was remembered by the team as a “fan favorite” who left a lasting legacy with the franchise, according to ESPN.
Doug Martin was born on January 13, 1989, in Oakland, California, Martin grew up in Stockton, where his athletic talent quickly became apparent. He played college football at Boise State University, where he earned a reputation as one of the program’s most dynamic and reliable running backs. Over four seasons with the Broncos, he rushed for more than 3,400 yards and scored 43 total touchdowns, helping Boise State become a national powerhouse during his tenure.
Martin was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. His rookie season was one for the record books — he rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors. That year, he became only the second rookie in NFL history to record over 250 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a single game, cementing his place as one of the league’s most exciting young players.
Though his career was marked by injuries and ups and downs, Martin made a strong comeback in 2015, rushing for 1,402 yards and earning his second Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. Known to fans as the “Muscle Hamster” — a nickname he famously disliked — Martin’s power, agility, and explosiveness made him a fan favorite in Tampa Bay.
According to ESPN, Doug Martin’s best season came in 2015, when he earned All-Pro honors after rushing for 1,402 yards and six touchdowns, along with 33 receptions for 271 yards and another score. He remained with the Buccaneers for two more seasons before finishing his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
After his time with the Buccaneers, Martin played briefly for the Oakland Raiders before stepping away from football. Following his retirement, he largely stayed out of the public eye but remained admired by fans and former teammates for his perseverance and humility both on and off the field.
