Doug Martin cause of death: What happened to the ex-NFL Pro Bowler? Here's what we know

Former NFL Pro Bowler Doug Martin, 36, died Saturday, Oct 18. Cause unconfirmed. Family confirmed his passing and requested privacy.

Updated on: Oct 20, 2025 3:09 AM IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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Doug Martin, a former NFL Pro Bowler, has reportedly passed away at the age of 36, TMZ reported. The outlet claimed, citing courses that Martin, who played for the Las Vegas Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers across seven seasons in the NFL, died "recently."

Doug Martin, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star, has passed away. (X/@MAGAgeddon)

No further details on the circumstances on his death or when it happened was reported by the outlet. Later, his family confirmed his death in a statement to Tampa Bay Times, saying that he passed away on Saturday, October 18.

“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning. Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time,” the statement read, as per Tampa Bay Times.

Doug Martin joined the NFL in 2012 out of Boise State and played for six seasons with the franchise, even earning the All-Pro honors in the process. His last season in the NFL was the 2018-2019 season when he played for the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Martin, nicknamed the "Muscle Hamster," retired quietly after the 2018 season. He did not publicly announce his retirement, and there was no formal statement from him or his representatives at the time.

Across his eight seasons in the NFL, he had 1322 carries for 5,356 yards with 20 touchdowns.

The details about his family are not known, as he maintained a very private life, especially after his NFL career was over. But reports indicate that he resided in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife, Brenda, and their children.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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