Doug Martin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin died October 18, 2025, at the age of 36. He died in police custody; an exact cause of death has not been announced. Martin's family released a statement that he had a history of mental illness and was experiencing an acute episode at the time of his death.

Born January 13, 1989, in Oakland, California, Martin grew up in Stockton, California and attended St. Mary's High School, where he excelled in both football and track. From there, he played college football at Boise State University (2007–2011), emerging as one of the Broncos' most productive running backs before entering the NFL.

Martin was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. In his impressive rookie season, he rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns, earned a Pro Bowl berth and All-Rookie honors. He went on to be named First-Team All-Pro in 2015 and was selected to the Pro Bowl a second time. Over his seven-season NFL career (six with Tampa Bay and one with the Oakland?Raiders in 2018), Martin compiled 5,356 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns, along with 148 receptions for 1,207 receiving yards and two receiving scores.

He was widely respected for his physical running style, earning the nickname "Muscle Hamster" as playful reference to his compact build and powerful running ability. Off the field, Martin was known as a loyal teammate and dedicated professional who inspired fans, particularly in Tampa Bay, where he was named one of the team's Top 50 players for his contributions.

The NFL community and Martin's former teams expressed deep sorrow at his sudden passing. The Buccaneers said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin. From his record-setting rookie season to his multiple Pro Bowl selections … Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise. He was a fan favorite."

By Legacy News Staff

(Image: Cliff McBride/Getty Images)