The parents of former NFL running back Doug Martin have filed a lawsuit against the city of Oakland, its police officers and an ambulance company over the his death, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Martin died in October of 2025 at the age of 36 after an incident where police were attempting to detain him during an alleged mental health episode that saw him break into a neighbor’s house.
According to Oakland attorney John Burris, who is representing the Martin family, an independent pathologist concluded that Martin likely died from “restrained asphyxia” after officers allegedly pushed him to the floor and pressed on his back. The pressure reportedly left Martin unresponsive and he later died at the hospital.
Martin’s parents are reportedly seeking damages for wrongful death, loss of familial relationship, funeral and coroner expenses and loss of financial support, plus attorney’s fees.
From the Chronicle:
“You’d like to think that when police are called to a situation for somebody who is having a mental breakdown, the person doesn’t wind up dead,” said Burris, who added that the family has been traumatized and devastated by the loss of their only son.
Burris also reportedly told the Chronicle he has yet to receive the official autopsy or toxicology report from the Alameda County coroner and hopes the lawsuit will pressure the authorities to release the findings. He is also awaiting results from neurologists who are examining Martin’s brain for CTE.
Martin played seven seasons in the NFL, six for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one for the Oakland Raiders. He twice earned Pro Bowl honors, but saw his career end after his age-29 season in 2018 due to injuries. He was also suspended four games in 2016 for violating the league’s drug policy.
Per the Chronicle, Martin suffered from significant mental health issues in retirement. He was reportedly placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold a few months before his death, following an incident where he alleged scuffled with sheriff’s deputies in a substance-induced psychosis at a drug rehab facility.
On the day of his death, Martin was reportedly staying at his grandfather’s house in Oakland when he fled the home and entered a house two doors down. His family reportedly called the police for help, leading to the alleged incident with a group of five officers.
Falck Northern California, the ambulance company named in the lawsuit, is also alleged to have arrived more than 15 minutes after the call for service and not offer timely care.
