Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro running back Doug Martin passed away at the age of 36 after an incident in Oakland, California, where he died while in police custody. While the official cause of his death remains unconfirmed and is under investigation, the statements from his family offered a painful clarity: Martin was struggling with a profound mental health crisis.

Hall of Fame receiver Andre Reed, the legendary Buffalo Bills star, recently used his social media platform to shine a light on the crisis. In a poignant thread of stories, Reed shared his raw feelings:

“Mental health of our players… hurts man. Need people who actually care about us, outside of making money off of players’ contracts. Sometimes I feel like agents ditch you when you stop playing… kinda makes you feel like more of an object than a human. That’s why @theresa_vpr & I are trying to support players differently. With depth beyond…show them how to find more purpose. Community outside the game.”

Martin’s agent released a statement on behalf of the family, explaining that his parents had been actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support. This specific detail reignited a public discussion about the support, or lack thereof, provided to former players.

Being a professional athlete or public figure means existing in a space where value is often tied directly to performance. When an athlete hangs up their cleats, the perceived value they once had is instantly gone. The public moves on, and worse, the organizations and agents who made huge profits off their contracts often drop them completely. This painful, transactional reality is an epidemic in the National Football League, where reports show a stunning 78% of players face bankruptcy or crippling financial distress within just a few years of retirement. 

The issues, however, extend far beyond the bank account. The mental and physical toll of the game catches up quickly. While players receive treatment for immediate physical injuries during their careers, these problems frequently resurface later in life, causing chronic pain and daily inconvenience, all without the support structure they once enjoyed. The transition from a high-stakes, highly structured career to retirement can be devastating to a player’s mental well-being.

Reed has asked the fans to show their love and support when it actually matters.

Doug Martin’s family opens up 

The recent and heartbreaking death of former NFL star Doug Martin at the age of 36 has cast a tragic, human light on the struggles faced by athletes long after they leave the gridiron. Martin, a celebrated two-time Pro Bowl running back, built a remarkable college career at Boise State, where he amassed over 3,400 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns before becoming a first-round pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2012 NFL Draft.

However, the circumstances of his passing in Oakland, California, reveal a private battle that ultimately overshadowed his public achievements. Martin died while in police custody after an incident involving a break-in. In a moving statement released Monday night, Martin’s family provided painful clarity, asking for understanding of the severe mental health crisis he was facing.

The family explained that Martin had been privately dealing with mental health issues that profoundly impacted his life. Talking about what had exactly taken place, they told, in a moment of disorientation and distress, the events unfolded tragically: “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.”

According to the Oakland Police Department, the attempt to detain Martin involved a brief struggle, after which he became unresponsive. Paramedics were called to the scene and transported Doug Martin to a local hospital, where he later died.

The full details of what transpired during his detention remain under investigation.