Tributes are pouring in for former NFL running back Doug Martin.
The retired ex-Pro Bowler Martin was reported on Sunday to have passed away at the age of 36. Martin’s family later said in a statement that he had died Saturday morning and that the cause of death was currently unconfirmed.
Immediately, the sports world went into shock over the news of Martin’s sudden death. Many tributes began flooding in for Martin over social media.
The league will never forget Doug Martin
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 19, 2025
RIPpic.twitter.com/kVaPFVlyVS
R.I.P. to former #NFL RB Doug Martin. Here’s a flashback to a performance that’ll forever go down in Buccaneer history. 265 Yards & 4 TDs on 22 carries#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/YxpoXo640V
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) October 19, 2025
RIP to Fantasy Football Legend Doug Martin. Way too young. https://t.co/cYg7ZpDfib
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) October 19, 2025
Rest in peace, Doug Martin
— Spencer Mathis (@StrategicSpence) October 19, 2025
My FAVORITE player from childhood, so sad. pic.twitter.com/1Wx15KHlcu
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Martin’s former NFL team, also posted a notable tribute to X.
Rest in peace, Doug Martin pic.twitter.com/G6UZrp46RG
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 19, 2025
Martin was a four-year standout at Boise State and later became a first-round draft pick in 2012 (No. 31 overall). Famously nicknamed “Muscle Hamster,” Martin played seven total seasons in the NFL, mostly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite only being 5-foot-9, Martin carved out a productive career in the backfield, becoming a two-time Pro Bowler as well as an All-Pro selection in 2015. He last played in the league in 2018 for the then-Oakland Raiders, finishing his career with 5,356 total rushing yards and 30 total rushing touchdowns over 84 games played.
The news of Martin’s death comes a few years after his former Buccaneers teammate Vincent Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, died at the age of 38 as well.
