Oct. 20 update
The Mercury News reports Martin died while in Oakland police custody on Saturday. He passed away at a hospital after being contacted by Oakland police, who were responding to reports of a home break-in in East Oakland. His cause of death has not been determined, and the incident remains under investigation.
Oakland police were called about a person who had broken into a home in a neighborhood near the Oakland Zoo. Police were notified that the suspected burglar was having “a medical emergency,” according to the Oakland Police Department.
Police say officers contacted the suspected burglar, and, after a struggle ensued, the person then became unresponsive after being taken into custody, according to Oakland police. After receiving medical aid by paramedics on scene, the person was taken to a hospital, where they later died, the department’s statement said.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office has not released the name of the person who died. Police involved in the incident were put on administrative leave.
Original story
Doug Martin, a celebrated Boise State running back and seven-year NFL veteran, passed away this weekend at the age of 36.
Martin, who played for Boise State from 2007 to 2011, was a two-time first-team all-conference honoree and remains one of the top rushers in the school’s history. He ranks eighth in career rushing yards with 3,431, sixth in rushing touchdowns with 43, and ninth in rush attempts with 617. Martin is also tied for fourth in school history with 17 career 100-yard games.
After redshirting in 2007, Martin helped lead the Broncos to four consecutive top-10 finishes in the BCS rankings from 2008 to 2011. During this period, Boise State won three conference titles and achieved a remarkable 50-3 overall record. Martin’s standout performances included a breakout 2009 season with 765 rushing yards and a team-best 15 touchdowns, and back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011.
Martin was selected 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2012 NFL Draft, becoming the first Boise State running back to be drafted in the first round. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, earning Pro Bowl honors and being a finalist for offensive rookie of the year. In 2015, Martin was named first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler after rushing for 1,402 yards.
After six seasons with the Buccaneers, Martin concluded his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Over 84 career NFL games, he amassed 5,356 rushing yards, 30 rushing touchdowns, and 6,563 yards from scrimmage.
Martin’s legacy as one of Boise State’s greatest players and a formidable NFL running back will be remembered by fans and teammates alike.