The family of a former professional football player who [died in Oakland police custody](https://localnewsmatters.org/2025/10/21/former-nfl-player-doug-martin-identified-as-man-who-died-in-oakland-police-custody/) Saturday said he was struggling with mental health issues prior to his death.
Doug Martin, 36, died in a hospital after he was confronted by police during a reported burglary at about 4:15 a.m. Saturday in the 11000 block of Ettrick Street.
“While responding officers were attempting to detain him, a brief struggle occurred,” police said. “After being taken into custody, Martin became unresponsive.”
He was taken to a hospital where he later died. Authorities have not released a cause of death or other details about the case.
In a statement sent via Martin’s former manager, Brian Murphy, the former All-Pro running back’s family said he struggled with mental illness that impacted both his personal and professional life.
At the time of his death, Martin’s parents were “actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support,” according to the statement.
“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 reads in part. “An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway.”
The death is being investigated by the Oakland Police Department’s homicide section and internal affairs bureau, the Oakland Police Commission and the city’s Community Police Review Agency, and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, as is standard policy for in-custody deaths, Oakland police said.
Martin’s professional career began in 2012, when he was selected in the first round of the National Football League draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after playing college football at Boise State University in Idaho.
During his seven-year career, he made two Pro Bowl appearances and notched an All-Pro selection in 2015.
Martin was born in Oakland and played his final year with the then-Oakland Raiders.