{"id":14598,"date":"2025-10-20T19:30:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T19:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/14598\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T19:30:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T19:30:09","slug":"ex-nfl-star-doug-martin-reportedly-dies-in-bay-area-police-custody","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/14598\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-NFL star Doug Martin reportedly dies in Bay Area police custody"},"content":{"rendered":"

Doug Martin, an Oakland-born former NFL star, died<\/a> Saturday in Oakland police custody after he suffered a \u201cmedical emergency\u201d while officers responded to a call about an alleged burglary in the Oakland Hills, according to multiple reports.\u00a0The events that led to the death of Martin, 36, are currently under investigation by multiple Alameda County agencies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oakland police released a statement about the death on Saturday afternoon<\/a>, detailing how officers responded to a call at 4:15 a.m. for a break-in on the 11000 block of Ettrick Street, which is located in between the Oakland Zoo and Lake\u00a0Chabot Golf Course.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSimultaneously, officers were notified of an individual who was experiencing a medical emergency and was believed to be the same individual related to the break-in,\u201d the police statement said<\/a>. \u201cUpon arrival, officers located the individual inside the residence. While attempting to detain the individual, a brief struggle ensued. After being taken into custody, the individual became unresponsive.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement said the person was taken by paramedics to an area hospital, where the individual died. The officers involved were placed on paid leave while an investigation begins, which the statement said is department policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Oakland Police Department remains committed to transparency. However, to ensure the integrity of the investigation, the release of information must be limited at this time. Additional details will be shared as soon as the investigative process allows and in compliance with the law,\u201d the statement concluded.<\/p>\n

Martin\u2019s death was first reported on Sunday morning, with his family later releasing a statement confirming his passing. The statement said Martin\u2019s cause of death \u201cis currently unconfirmed\u201d and asked for privacy. On Sunday evening, Bay Area News Group<\/a> and KTVU<\/a> first reported the man who died in police custody is Martin, citing sources close to the investigation. Oakland police did not respond to SFGATE\u2019s request for comment. The Alameda County Coroner\u2019s Office has not released the decedent\u2019s name at this time, and Alameda County Sheriff\u2019s Office Deputy Josh Robertson told SFGATE there is a \u201cpress hold\u201d on the case.<\/p>\n

Martin was born in Oakland and raised in Stockton, attending high school at St. Mary\u2019s. The 5-foot-9 running back starred collegiately at Boise State and was a first-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2012, with a strong rookie year earning him the first of two Pro Bowl appearances.<\/p>\n

Martin played for six seasons with the Buccaneers before signing with his hometown Raiders for his final season in 2018. In total, Martin tallied 5,356 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in his NFL career. All three of his former teams<\/a> released statements honoring Martin, with the Bucs calling him<\/a> a \u201cfan favorite\u201d and Boise State saying<\/a> he was one of the best running backs in school history.<\/p>\n