Former NFL running back Doug Martin dies at age 36

Doug Martin (Sgt. Aaron Oelrich, Wikimedia Commons)

According to TMZ on October 18, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin of  Oakland, California has died at the age of 36. The cause of death has not yet been reported, but there are reports now that Martin was allegedly in police custody after being arrested for breaking into an Oakland home and died in hospital. According to Oakland Police, Martin was apparently having a medical emergency during the robbery.

Martin played seven seasons with the Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2018. He was with the Buccaneers for six seasons from 2012 to 2017, and his final National Football League season in his northern California birthplace.

In 84 games, Martin rushed for 5356 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns. He also had 148 catches for 1207 receiving yards and two touchdowns catches. Martin’s two touchdown catches came when he was selected to the Pro Bowl (2012 and 2015). His first NFL touchdown  catch was for 64 yards from Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman in a 36-17 Buccaneers win over the Minnesota Vikings on October 25, 2012, and the second NFL touchdown catch was for 10 yards from Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston in a 38-31 Buccaneers win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in all-Florida battle on October 11, 2015.

Martin was initially the Buccaneers’s first round pick, 31st overall, out of Boise State in the 2012 NFL Draft. When Martin was selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl, he had 319 rushes for a career high 1454 rushing yards and a career-high 11 rushing touchdowns. Martin also had 49 catches for 472 receiving yards (both career-highs). When Martin was selected to the 2015 Pro Bowl, he had 288 rushes for 1402 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Martin also had 33 catches for 271 receiving yards.

There are three former Buccaneers who have now passed away who were on the team together from 2012 to 2013. Martin is joined by Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams.