Former All-Pro NFL running back Doug Martin, 36, died Saturday after becoming unresponsive while in the custody of Oakland police officers who were responding to a reported break-in, officials said. The Oakland Police Department said officers attempted to detain a suspect at a residence early Saturday and that a brief struggle occurred before the man later identified as Martin became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital, where he died. An autopsy and toxicology tests are pending.
Police and oversight agencies have opened multiple probes into the incident. The OPD said its homicide and internal affairs units are investigating, and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office along with civilian oversight bodies are also involved; the officers who detained Martin have been placed on administrative leave, the department said. Officials have released limited details pending the investigations.
Martin’s family and representatives said he had been struggling with mental-health issues in recent months and that those struggles factored into the events of the morning. In a statement provided to media, Martin’s family asked for privacy and said the cause of death was unconfirmed. His former agent and family members told reporters Martin had recently become disoriented and that his mother had contacted authorities about a medical emergency at the same location before officers arrived, according to local reporting.
The news drew condolences from city leaders and the football community. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said she mourned the loss of “an Oaklander who had a distinguished NFL career,” and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers posted a message honoring Martin’s life and offering condolences to his family.
A standout at Boise State, Martin was the 31st overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and rose quickly to prominence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning All-Pro honors and two Pro Bowl selections early in his career. He finished his NFL career with more than 5,000 rushing yards and played briefly for the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Teammates and former coaches expressed shock and sadness as investigators work to reconstruct the events that led to his death.
County medical examiners will complete an autopsy and toxicology analysis to determine cause and manner of death. Independent reviews and the district attorney’s inquiry are expected to assess the officers’ actions and whether any criminal charges or policy violations are warranted. Local officials urged patience while the multiple investigations proceed.
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