He also noted that Martin’s mental health crisis, history as a football player and or any drug or alcohol use that’s determined could have been factors.
“It’s not usual for a person to be taken into custody for a burglary and dies shortly thereafter,” Burris said. “Doesn’t have to be the police officer’s fault … but these are the kinds of things they need to find out.”
Martin was born in Oakland and grew up in Stockton, where he became a star of the St. Mary’s High School football program before committing to attend Boise State University in 2006.
After four seasons as one of the best running backs in school history, he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012, where he played six seasons. He appeared in two Pro Bowls and was a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Bucs, but struggled to come back from a rocky 2016 season, during which he was suspended over Adderall use. The four-game suspension bled into the 2017 season, at the end of which he was released.
During his final season with the Raiders, he ran for his third-highest rushing yards after replacing an injured Marshawn Lynch in the starting lineup. He was re-signed in 2019, but retired quietly after an injury settlement before the season began.
Martin’s family requested privacy to navigate the loss, and reaffirmed that an investigation is underway.
“This is really a difficult situation and a tragic loss,” said Tony Franks, who coached Martin at St. Mary’s High School. “We need to look after one another. Sometimes people might be going through some challenges, and we have to be aware of that and reach out and take care of folks.”