We are learning more about the sudden and unexpected death of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin.
News broke over the weekend that Martin, who played six seasons with the Bucs and etched himself into the memories of fans during that time, passed away over the weekend at the age of 36. No further details were made available at the time, other than a family statement requesting privacy and that his cause of death was still "unconfirmed".
A report from a local publication in Oakland, where Martin reportedly died, has shed a little more light on the situation.
New details emerge regarding the death of Doug Martin at age 36
According to the Mercury News, who published a report in the hours after, Martin reportedly died in police custody after a suspect was detained following a call about a home invasion. A police report states that officers were responding to a call about a home invasion where the suspect was suffering a "medical emergency".
After a "brief struggle", the suspect was taken into custody but soon became "unresponsive" and was taken to a local hospital after receiving aid from paramedics on the scene. That suspect later died at the hospital, something that was confirmed in a statement released by police after the incident.
While the corner's office nor the police have released a name of the suspect who died, the Mercury News states that Martin "died at a hospital after being contacted by Oakland police, who were responding to reports of a home break-in just after 4:15 a.m. in East Oakland".
Martin becomes the fourth player from the Buccaneers 2013 roster to have died before the age of 40, joining Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams, and Daniel Te'o-Nesheim who all passed away in recent years. Geno Hayes, who wasn't on that team but played for the Buccaneers between 2008 and 2011, also died at the age of 33 back in 2021.
After Martin's death, the Buccaneers released a statement remembering him as "a fan favorite during his time in Tampa Bay" and extending "heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and everyone whom Doug touched throughout his life."
He spent six seasons with the Bucs and burst right out of the gate in his rookie year. Martin broke Cadillac Williams' single-season rushing record for a rookie running back, and earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors during his time in Tampa Bay.
It was just recently that he was honored as one of the Top 50 Buccaneers of all-time as the team celebrates its 50th anniversary, which reminded everyone of the happy memories Martin gave us all during his time with the team.
He's being remembered just as much for who he was off the field as he is for his on-field accomplishments. From stories about his work with local charities to candid photos shared by fans and reporters from interactions and practices over the years, it's clear Martin touched many lives and is already dearly missed after an unfathomably tragic end to his young life.