Former NFL Star Doug Martin Struggled With Mental Health Challenges Prior to Tragic Death in Oakland Police Department Custody
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA (October 21, 2025) – A 36-year-old former NFL star identified as Doug Martin has tragically died after being detained by Oakland Police Department officers.
Alameda County officials are saying that the incident began on Sunday. Police officers were investigating a break-in at a home along Ettrick Street in Oakland.
Doug Martin apparently fled from his home that night after becoming distressed or disoriented. He allegedly entered a nearby residence.
Officers encountered him at the property and were able to detain him after a brief struggle. At some point after he was taken into custody, he became unresponsive.
Paramedics were called to the scene to help him, and he was transported to a nearby hospital. Tragically, Doug Martin was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Family members and his former agency acknowledged that Doug had been facing mental health challenges prior to his untimely death. In response to the situation, officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave. This tragic event highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and finding more effective ways to support individuals in crisis.
The Role of Football in Mental Health Challenges
There is no word on the nature or cause of the mental health struggles that Doug Martin was facing, but it is true to say that many studies have confirmed a strong link between football and developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). According to one study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “In a convenience sample of 202 deceased players of American football from a brain donation program, CTE was neuropathologically diagnosed in 177 players across all levels of play (87%), including 110 of 111 former National Football League players (99%).” There are many neurological conditions associated with CTE. Some examples are:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Parkinsonism and Parkinson’s Disease
- Depression and Mood Disorders
The National Football League (NFL) has been slow to acknowledge the link, but many former football players have suffered in silence for years with major mental health challenges. It can be difficult for many players to cope with the pressures of daily life, given the way CTE has affected their brains. Consider, for example, another study in the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Researchers noted that many former NFL players with CTE “exhibited signs of aggression, impulsivity, and poor executive functioning.” This combination can prove to be disastrous during police encounters.
The Role of Mental Health Challenges in Police Encounters
People struggling with mental health challenges are substantially more likely to be harmed during police encounters than the general public. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, “The risk of being killed while being approached or stopped by law enforcement in the community is 16 times higher for individuals with untreated serious mental illness than for other civilians. By the most conservative estimates, at least 1 in 4 fatal law enforcement encounters involves an individual with serious mental illness.” To help those struggling with mental health challenges, police officers in California are supposed to follow criteria set forth in California’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (“P.O.S.T.”) for dealing with mentally ill suspects. These steps are:
- Officers should request backup.
- Officers should do their best to calm the situation.
- Officers should avoid immediate physical contact with the suspect.
- Officers should determine if the suspect is taking medication.
- Officers should acknowledge the suspect’s feelings.
- Officers should refrain from being aggressive or making any threats.
It is critical that police officers are well trained to identify situations where a suspect may be in the midst of a mental health crisis. They must act appropriately to avoid escalating the situation. But in far too many situations, this does not happen. Officers will yell commands at suspects and begin issuing threats almost immediately. Depending on the specific actions of officers during an encounter, a police department could be liable if a suspect dies in their custody.
Liability for In-Custody Deaths Involving Suspects With Mental Health Challenges
Every person in California has a constitutional right to live free from the use of excessive force that is exercised under the color of law. According to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of law, deprives someone of their rights afforded under the Constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. When an officer fails to follow a safety rule promulgated by their employer, this may serve as evidence of negligence. There are many ways that an officer may have acted negligently in any encounter with a suspect.
- Illegal Holds: A police officer may have placed a suspect in a prone position that restricted their breathing and caused positional asphyxia.
- Failure to De-escalate: A police officer may have failed to follow protocol and de-escalate an encounter with the suspect in the midst of a mental health crisis.
- Failure to Treat: A police officer may have failed to recognize or properly treat a suspect that was in medical distress.
- Inadequate Training: A police department may have failed to provide their officers with adequate training on dealing with suspects in the midst of a mental health crisis.
A number of lawsuits have been filed by family members of people who have died in California due to the excessive force of police officers. Consider, for example, Tabares v. City of Huntington Beach. In this case, a young suspect was displaying erratic behavior before an officer attempted to make contact with him. Despite the suspect indicating that he did not want to speak, the officer continued to pursue, and a brief struggle ensued. This led to an officer-involved shooting. Family members of the victim filed a civil claim. A district court sided with the family. They held that a jury could find the officer’s actions negligent for failing to follow protocol related to suspects in the midst of a mental health crisis.
Getting Legal Help After Instances of Excessive Police Force
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Doug Martin. This was a senseless death that should not have taken place. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the actions of the Oakland police officers involved in this case. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent other tragedies like this. Truthfully, the NFL should also be doing more to help protect all players from CTE. This should include help for current and former players who are struggling with their mental health.
Have you or someone that you care about been the victim of police brutality? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to support you in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You are always welcome to reach us anytime at (617) 870-0907.