The running back who electrified the NFL with his bruising style and explosive bursts, Doug Martin, has passed away at age 36, and his former agent, Brian Murphy, has broken his silence.
Murphy‘s statement provides crucial insight into the events leading up to Martin‘s death and the private struggles that preceded it.
Martin, best known for his six-season run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected 31st overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, left the game with 5,356 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, according to football-reference data.
His journey ended far from the field, but the pain he carried off it is now part of the story.
In his message to the media, Murphy wrote:
“Privately, Doug battled mental health challenges that profoundly impacted his personal and professional life. Ultimately, mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run.”
He added context to the sequence of events early on Saturday morning in Oakland, California, where Martin left his home in a state of disorientation, entered a neighbor’s residence two doors down, and was taken into custody by police responding to the call.
Investigating the incident
According to a statement from the Oakland Police Department (OPD), officers were called to the scene of a break-in and attempted to detain Martin, during which a brief struggle occurred.
He subsequently became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Multiple agencies, including the OPD’s Homicide Unit, the Internal Affairs Bureau, the Oakland Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency, and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, are investigating the circumstances.
Murphy emphasized that Martin’s parents had already reached out to medical professionals and local authorities for help prior to the fatal encounter.
“Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support,” he stated.
He described that on the night of the incident Martin felt overwhelmed and “disoriented.”
As details continue to unfold, the investigation remains active and the official cause of death has not been released.
Martin’s career trajectory was one of dramatic highs. At the Boise State Broncos, he emerged as a dominant rusher, leading to his first-round selection by Tampa Bay.
His rookie year in 2012 was spectacular: 1,454 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns earned him a Pro Bowl nod.
In 2015, he again made the Pro Bowl and was named first-team All-Pro after rushing for 1,402 yards.
His impact in Tampa Bay was quickly recognized; he was later honored as one of the franchise’s Top 50 players.
Teammates, fans and the team itself mourned his loss. The Buccaneers issued a statement saying: “Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise. He was a fan favorite during his time in Tampa Bay.”
This news was originally published on this post .
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