Newly released footage shows ex-NFL star Doug Martin before his in-custody death
Newly released footage shows ex-NFL star Doug Martin before his in-custody death
MEREDITH DELISOTue, March 17, 2026 at 10:50 PM UTC
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Newly released footage shows ex-NFL star Doug Martin before his in-custody death
Newly released security and police body camera footage shows former NFL star Doug Martin before he died after being taken into police custody in California last year.
Martin, a former running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died on Oct. 18, 2025, after being detained by officers who had responded to a reported break-in at a home in Oakland, police said.
The 36-year-old was struggling with mental health challenges and "fled his home" while disoriented to a nearby residence, according to a statement released on behalf of his family following his death.
Former NFL star Doug Martin battled mental health challenges before he died while in police custody: Family
The Oakland Police Department has released portions of the 911 calls, home security footage and body camera footage from the incident in a 10-minute video.
At approximately 4:15 a.m. that day, a 911 caller reported someone breaking into her house. An alarm could be heard in the background of the call.
As officers responded, dispatch received another 911 call from the same area from someone who identified herself as Martin's mother, police said. She reported that Martin had "left his house on foot and was experiencing a mental-health medical emergency," the Oakland Police Department said.
His mother told the 911 operator that Martin "takes sleeping pills and he hasn't slept for three days."
A Ring security camera video shows Martin in the backyard of a neighboring property, police said. He is heard at one point yelling "help me" and saying his name, before breaking through a window and entering the home. Oakland police officers are then seen in the yard and entering the home through the same window.
Multiple police officers are in the house as Martin is heard yelling in a bathroom. When he exits, officers struggle with him in a workout room while telling him to "calm down" and "relax" before handcuffing him.
Oakland Police Department - PHOTO: Doug Martin is seen in bodycam footage released by the Oakland Police Department prior to his in-custody death on Oct. 18, 2025.
"Doug, it's the Oakland Police Department, OK? We're going to get you help," an officer says once Martin is handcuffed.
The body camera footage jumps to about 8 minutes later, with officers heard recapping the incident while waiting for paramedics to arrive. One officer says Martin, who remains handcuffed on the floor, seems to be tired, as Martin at times appears to snore.
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The footage again jumps ahead about 5 minutes, with officers seen carrying Martin out of the house to awaiting paramedics. The paramedics were unable to bring the gurney to him due to the layout of the house, according to police.
Those at the scene can be heard asking several times if Martin is breathing. The footage released by police ends as officers work to remove his handcuffs.
Paramedics initiated CPR, and Martin was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased, police said.
The coroner's office has not yet released the cause of death, police said. The Alameda County Coroner's Bureau said Tuesday it is still awaiting test results.
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The incident remains under investigation by the Oakland Police Department, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and the Oakland Community Police Review Agency.
The Alameda County District Attorney's Office said it is unable to comment on the ongoing investigation.
An attorney for the Martin family, John Burris, told ABC San Francisco station KGO that he is not commenting on the video at the family's request.
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images - PHOTO: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushes in the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome, Dec. 17, 2015, in St. Louis, Mo.
According to a statement released last year on behalf of Martin's family by talent management firm Athletes First, which represented the athlete when he was in the NFL, his parents were "actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support" the day he died.
"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.
Martin privately battled mental health challenges, which "profoundly impacted his personal and professional life," the statement said.
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.
Source: “AOL Sports”
