Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin died on Saturday morning at the age of 36, and now some details surrounding his death have emerged.
Martin was a burglary suspect who also suffered a medical emergency. Police responded to a call early Saturday before dawn about a burglary at an Oakland hills home on Ettrick in the Chabot Park area. Police were told that someone had broken into a home. Police were also told that same suspect was also having a medical emergency, according to KTVU reporter Henry K. Lee.
Lee says police had a struggle with Martin inside the home, took him outside the home into the back of a police car and he started to have a medical emergency/code. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The officers are on paid administrative leave according to standard protocol.
Autopsy to determine cause of death for ex-@Buccaneers @Raiders running back Doug Martin, who sources tell me was man who died in @oaklandpoliceca custody after officers responded to reports of burglary suspect experiencing medical emergency on Ettrick St. in Chabot Park area pic.twitter.com/9MM1Vp0EYA
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) October 20, 2025
Martin, known as the “Muscle Hamster,” played in the NFL from 2012-2018. He was with the Bucs for six seasons before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders.
A former Boise State standout, Martin was drafted by Tampa Bay in the first round in 2012. He rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie. Martin also had 49 catches for 472 yards and a touchdown that year and made the Pro Bowl. He made the Pro Bowl in 2012 as well.
