The man who died Saturday during a struggle with Oakland police officers was former NFL running back Doug Martin, according to the East Bay Times.
A source, who was granted anonymity under the Chronicle’s policies, confirmed that Martin was the man who died during the incident, which started as a report of a residential break-in.
The Oakland Police Department did not respond to a query Sunday.
Martin’s family confirmed the 36-year-old’s death in a statement but did not detail the circumstances surrounding it.
“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning,” read the statement, issued to news outlets. “Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.”
Born in Oakland, Martin played in the NFL for seven seasons. He was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft and later finished his career with the Oakland Raiders.
Despite his achievements on the field, Martin was suspended in 2016 for four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy after testing positive for a banned substance. He later sought treatment and publicly expressed regret, vowing to rebuild his health and reputation, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He joined the Raiders two years later.
The Buccaneers described Martin in a statement Sunday as a fan favorite who was honored as one of the Top 50 Buccaneers of all time for his achievements, including a record-setting rookie season and two Pro Bowl selections. “Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise,” the team said.
Martin, whose NFL career ended in 2018, rushed for 5,356 yards and 30 touchdowns in 84 games.
“The condolences of the entire Raider Nation are with Doug’s family at this time,” the team, which is now based in Las Vegas, said in a statement.
Doug Martin, who played for the Oakland Raiders and later finished his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was suspended in 2016 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. (Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle)
Around 4:15 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to Ettrick Street in the Chabot Park neighborhood to investigate a residential break-in. Officers were also alerted that the person connected to the break-in was experiencing a “medical emergency,” police said Saturday.
Officers found the man in the home. As they tried to detain him, “a brief struggle ensued,” police said, adding that after the man was taken into custody, the man “became unresponsive.”
Paramedics provided medical aid and took him to a hospital, where he died.
Multiple agencies, including the Oakland Police Department, are investigating the death. The Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau declined to provide information Sunday, saying police had sealed the case.
This article originally published at Ex-NFL running back Doug Martin dies during struggle with Oakland police.