Former NFL star Doug Martin battled mental health challenges before he died while in police custody: Family
Former NFL star Doug Martin had been struggling with mental health challenges and "fled his home" while disoriented to a nearby residence the day he died after being taken into police custody, according to a statement released on behalf of his family.
Martin, 36, died on Saturday after being detained by officers who had responded to a break-in at a home in Oakland, California, police said.
A "brief struggle" occurred while officers were attempting to detain Martin, and he became unresponsive after being taken into custody, according to the Oakland Police Department. Responding paramedics provided aid and transported him to a local hospital, where he died, police said.
Oakland police identified the man who died in police custody as Martin, a former running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on Monday.
Police alleged Martin was involved in the break-in prior to his death. As officers responded to the incident around 4:15 a.m. local time Saturday, they were also "notified of an individual who was experiencing a medical emergency" believed to be related to the break-in, police said.
According to a statement released Monday on behalf of his family by talent management firm Athletes First, which represented Martin when he was in the NFL, his parents were "actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support" on Saturday.
"Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor's residence two doors down, where he was taken into custody by police," the statement said, noting his parents wanted to "clarify the circumstances" following reports of his death.
Martin privately battled mental health challenges, which "profoundly impacted his personal and professional life," the statement said.
"Ultimately, mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run," it continued.
The investigation into Martin's death is ongoing and is being conducted by the police department, Oakland City Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency and the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave, police said.
Oakland police said Monday that no further information will be released at this time amid the ongoing investigation.
After playing football for Boise State University, Martin was a first-round draft pick in 2012 for the Buccaneers, where he went on to make two Pro Bowl appearances and earned 2015 All-Pro honors during his six seasons with the team. He also briefly played for the Oakland Raiders.
The Buccaneers said they were "deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing" of Martin, whom they said "made a lasting impact on our franchise."
"Off the field, Doug was deeply committed to serving the communities of Boise, Idaho, Stockton, and Oakland California, where his generosity and spirit were well known," the Athletes First statement said.
