Doug Martin’s family shed more light on his private life, saying that the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back was battling with mental health issues before he passed away on Saturday.
Brian Murphy, who is the CEO of Athletes First and Martin’s former agent, released a statement on behalf of the former NFL star’s family on Monday and shared the details of what happened before Martin died.
“Privately, Doug battled mental health challenges that profoundly impacted his personal and professional life,” the statement said, per the Daily Mail. “Ultimately, mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run.”
The statement also said that Martin’s parents were “actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support.”
“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 added.
READ ALSO: Cleveland Browns’ David Bell explains why he’s retiring at the age of 24
The statement said that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death has since been launched.
Authorities said that Martin, 36, passed away in a hospital after he was arrested in Oakland on Saturday. He was arrested Saturday morning following a break-in at a home on Ettrick Street near the Oakland Zoo, ABC7 News reported, adding that Martin was taken into custody just before 5 a.m.
According to the police, he had a medical emergency, and there was a brief struggle before he became unresponsive.
“Paramedic personnel arrived, provided medical aid, and transported the individual to an area hospital for further treatment. Unfortunately, the individual later died at the hospital,” Oakland Police Department said in a statement.
Officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave as investigations continue, Oakland Police said.
Martin played college football at Boise State for four years before the Buccaneers drafted him in 2012. The former NFL star spent six seasons with the Buccaneers, and he was named to the Pro Bowl on two occasions. He also earned a All-Pro honor.
Martin later signed with the Oakland Raiders and hung up his cleats after the 2018-2019 season.
READ ALSO: Former NFL player Vontae Davis found dead at his Florida home
