Former NFL player Doug Martin dies in police custody in California

October 20, 2025

Former NFL running back Doug Martin, 36, died while in police custody after an alleged home break-in and struggle with Oakland police officers on Saturday. Martin, nicknamed "Muscle Hamster," spent most of his seven-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he made a significant impact, including a record-setting rookie season in 2012. His family announced his passing with the cause of death listed as "unconfirmed," while the Oakland Police Department stated he became unresponsive during detention and later died at a hospital.

Who is affected

Doug Martin's family
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization
Former teammates and the NFL community
The Oakland Police Department
NFL fans, particularly Buccaneers supporters

What action is being taken

The Oakland Police Department is handling the case following Martin's death during detention
Martin's family is requesting privacy as they deal with the loss
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are publicly acknowledging Martin's death and his contributions to their franchise

Why it matters

Martin was a notable NFL player with a record-setting rookie season who rushed for 1,454 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 2012
His death occurred under unusual circumstances while in police custody following an alleged break-in
Martin was only 36 years old, making this a premature death of a former professional athlete
The situation involves questions about police custody and detention procedures
Martin had previously overcome personal struggles, including a drug policy violation in 2016 that led to treatment

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC