{"id":235218,"date":"2025-10-23T20:12:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/235218\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T20:12:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:12:10","slug":"ex-buccaneers-player-gerald-mccoy-mourns-death-of-fifth-former-nfl-teammate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/235218\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Buccaneers player Gerald McCoy mourns death of fifth former NFL teammate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Former NFL defensive tackle<\/a> Gerald McCoy has experienced tremendous personal tragedies in just a few short weeks.<\/p>\n

During that span, the six-time Pro Bowler mourned the loss of five of his former teammates and NFL colleagues \u2014 all of whom died before their 40th birthdays.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Baltimore Ravens announced the death of Super Bowl champion Arthur Jones<\/a> on Oct. 3. He was 39. McCoy and Jones were members of the 2010 NFL Draft class and spent time training together leading up to the scouting combine. On Saturday, reports surfaced about the death of former running back Doug Martin.<\/p>\n

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The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was in police custody at the time. He was 36. McCoy played alongside Martin during their time in Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

\"Doug <\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin during the Carolina Panthers game at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 7, 2014. (Kim Klement\/USA Today Sports)<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, McCoy also learned that his uncle passed away.<\/p>\n

Shortly after learning of Martin’s death, McCoy urged others to check in with their loved ones. “Man that\u2019s the 5th teammate I\u2019ve lost. Yea I\u2019m done for the day. Yall go check on yall people man,” McCoy wrote on X.<\/p>\n

McCoy told The Athletic<\/a> he hoped to avoid being moved to a state of detachment due to the series of heartbreaking events.<\/p>\n

“You don\u2019t want to get to a point where you become numb to it,” McCoy told the outlet. “It\u2019s just hard to deal with, and it\u2019s unbelievable. This keeps happening.”<\/p>\n

DETAILS EMERGE IN DEATH OF EX-NFL STAR DOUG MARTIN<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to Martin’s death, McCoy has recently contended with the loss of former NFL players: Geno Hayes, Daniel Te\u2019o-Nesheim, Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson. McCoy spent time with all of those players at different points in his lengthy stint with the Buccaneers.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Te’o-Nesheim and Jackson were posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy<\/a> (CTE), a neurodegengerative disease that has been linked to repeated head trauma.<\/p>\n

Martin’s family sought assistance all the way up until the final hours of his life.<\/p>\n

“Doug\u2019s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support,” a statement from Martin’s former agent, Brian Murphy, read.<\/p>\n

\"Gerald <\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93), running back Doug Martin (22) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) pose for a photo at NFC media day for the Pro Bowl on Jan. 25, 2013, in Hawaii. (Kyle Terada\/USA Today Sports)<\/p>\n

“Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor\u2019s residence two doors down, where he was taken into custody by police. An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0McCoy recalled the special bond he developed with Jackson and his admiration for how he lived up to his nickname “The Ultimate Pro.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Gerald <\/p>\n

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy of the Buccaneers exits the field after a loss to the New England Patriots on Oct. 5, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

“How he carried himself in the building, how he did interviews, how he practiced,” McCoy said. “How he took care of his body, how he was with his family, everything. That\u2019s who V-Jack was. So when we lost him, it was like, \u2018not him, of all people.\u2019 He was Captain America. So that one hit us probably the hardest.”<\/p>\n

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McCoy finished his decade-long pro football career with 59.5 sacks. He transitioned to broadcasting after his playing days ended and currently works as an NFL Network analyst.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s sports coverage on X<\/a>, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n