In a tragic turn of events last October, former All-Pro running back Doug Martin passed away while in police custody. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation, but recently released footage sheds light on his final moments.
The combined police and RING door camera footage shows Martin attempting to flee from police, trying to enter a private residence, and shouting seemingly to no one. As police caught up with him, Martin was detained and began to scream while being handcuffed.
Sadly, he became unresponsive during the incident and was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Reports indicate that Martin experienced an unspecified “medical emergency.”
His family shared that he had been struggling with mental health issues for years and felt "overwhelmed and disoriented" on the night of the incident.
Doug Martin's career was marked by his explosive talent and resilience. At Boise State University, from 2008 to 2011, he became one of the program’s standout offensive players.
Rushing for over 3,400 yards and scoring 43 touchdowns, Martin's senior season was particularly impressive, earning him first-team All-Mountain West honors. His performance in the 2011 Las Vegas Bowl, where he racked up 147 yards and a touchdown, helped elevate his draft prospects.
Drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2012 NFL Draft, Martin quickly made his mark. Known affectionately as the “Muscle Hamster,” he rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns in his rookie season. His remarkable 251-yard, four-touchdown game against the Oakland Raiders remains one of the most memorable single-game performances in NFL history.
Injuries hampered his progress in the following seasons, but Martin bounced back in 2015 with a stellar Pro Bowl season, rushing for 1,402 yards. After six seasons with the Buccaneers, he joined the Oakland Raiders in 2018, delivering a solid comeback year before retiring. Over his NFL career, Martin accumulated more than 5,300 rushing yards and earned two Pro Bowl selections, solidifying his status as one of the Buccaneers’ most productive running backs of the 2010s.