Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin dealt with significant mental health issues in the months leading up to his death.
Martin died on Oct. 18 at the age of 36, according to a statement that was released by his family. The cause of death remains under investigation, but it has since been revealed that Martin was a burglary suspect who suffered a medical emergency.
Police responded to a call early on the morning of Oct. 18 about a burglary at a residence in Oakland, Calif. Police were told that someone had broken into a home. Police were also told that same suspect was also having a medical emergency.
Police reportedly had a struggle with Martin inside the home and took him outside the home into the back of a police car, at which point Martin began to have a medical emergency. You can read more details here.
According to a report that was obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, Martin was placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold at a Castro Valley drug rehabilitation center two months before his death. A report from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office says Martin checked into the facility on Aug. 11 and tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamine upon his arrival. Martin also had fentanyl and a hunting knife in his possession.
Police say Martin left the rehab facility twice without permission within his first two days of being there. On Aug. 13, a clinical supervisor found Martin in the front driveway of the facility dancing with blood on his hands and face. The supervisor suspected that Martin had jumped out of the window of his second-floor bedroom.
The employee told police that she found the door to Martin’s room barricaded after she entered the facility. When she gained access to the room, Martin’s window was open and the screen had been pushed out. Police said Martin seemed “extremely paranoid” when they arrived. Martin was asked if he was armed and replied “kinda,” so police told him they would need to search and handcuff him.
Martin then allegedly had a physical struggle with deputies. When Martin was finally pinned down, police found three small bags of cocaine and a 12-inch chef’s knife in his backpack.
“Martin was so inebriated that he was unable to communicate whether he was in any pain or suffered any injuries,” the report states.
Martin was placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold following the incident. The case was expected to be sent to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for prosecutors to consider charges, but it is unknown if it was ever reviewed.
Martin’s family said in a statement that “mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run.”
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.
