Oakland PD Makes Controversial Final Decision On Body Cam Footage From Ex-NFL RB Doug Martin’s Arrest After He Died In Police Custody

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The Oakland Police Department has decided against releasing the bodycam footage showing former NFL star running back Doug Martin in custody before his tragic death.

Doug Martin unexpectedly passed away at the age of 36 on Oct. 18 after police officers responded to a report of a home invasion in Oakland. Martin suffered a medical emergency while in custody and later died at a hospital.

After requesting public records, The Oaklandside was informed by the OPD that the department will not release the police bodycam footage of Martin in custody before he passed away. The OPD claims there’s “insufficient evidence” that the officers’ use of force caused Martin’s death:

“That determination has not yet been made while the matter remains under active investigation. Therefore, the mandatory disclosure provisions for critical incidents do not presently apply…Specifically, disclosure at this time would compromise privacy interests, and interfere with an ongoing investigation.”

Brian Murphy, Martin’s agent, later released a statement that provided more heartbreaking details on the circumstances before his death.

In the statement, Murphy said that “mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run.”

Concerned for his well-being, Martin’s parents called the authorities to help their son. Martin was reportedly “overwhelmed and disoriented” and ran to a neighbor’s home. The officers arrived soon after, and Martin tragically died while in their custody.

The official cause of death has not been released.

Doug Martin Is Fourth All-Time In Rushing Yards Among Bucs

Even though injuries limited him to just 68 games over his six years with the Buccaneers, Martin still racked up 4,633 rushing yards. Only James Wilder (5,957), Mile Alsott (5,088) and Warrick Dunn (4,986) are ahead of Martin on the franchise leaderboard. And they each played dozens of more games in a Tampa uniform.

Martin’s 26 rushing touchdowns are the third-most in franchise history. But here’s another interesting tidbit: His 68.1 rushing yards are the highest among all Buccaneers players, with current star Bucky Irving just behind Martin at 64.5.

In his two healthy seasons with the Bucs, Martin exceeded 1,400 rushing yards and earned a pair of Pro Bowl nods.