Doug Martin’s Agent Suggests He Struggled With Depression
October 21st, 2025
Agent issues statement.
Some clarification surrounding the death of former Bucs All-Pro running back Doug Martin is beginning to filter out of the clouds.
Still, many questions remain.
Martin died in police custody early Saturday after he was detained at a residence, from which police said they received separate calls for both a break-in and someone in need of medical assistance.
That someone was Martin. When police arrived and tried to detain Martin, he allegedly resisted.
Joe is not trying to be insensitive with the following but Martin’s agent issued a press release. There is a reason Joe rarely deals with agents. They are paid representatives with a financial interest to always work on behalf of their clients’ best interests.
Brian Murphy, Martin’s former agent, stated Martin suffered from depression, which led to the incident in Oakland at 4:15 a.m.
“Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support. 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.”
So is Martin’s agent saying Martin invaded a home?
Lots of murky details here. And those likely won’t clear up (if they ever do) until after various Oakland authorities release their investigative findings.
A statement on the passing of Doug Martin, with his agent Brian Murphy of @AthletesFirst offering clarity and perspective: pic.twitter.com/pxULx4kAeZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2025
October 21st, 2025 at 7:46 am
Wow, Joe, this is a hard one. His parents are going through so much right now. Fully understand.
You can try to help someone with depression and addictions, but they have to be at that place to complete the help and move forward with those tools. Families always feel guilty they didn’t do more. Sadly, the person needing the help has to want it even more. So young. Many of us were fans of Doug. He brought us a lot of joy watching him play. Thinking about Vincent Jackson too.
My condolences to Doug’s family and loved ones. Rest in Peace Doug.
October 21st, 2025 at 8:25 am
My condolences for his family, I’m sad that Doug suffered from depression and wasn’t able to find the help he needed in time.
I appreciate the NFL turning the spotlight on Mental Health. I can only imagine back when I was in my early 20’s. I was in peak shape physically and then for these players that make the NFL Dream a reality, to have the money, the travels, the commraderie of the team, it’s euphoric. To loose it at any point either in a short or long career, has to be a lot to transition through. I hope that the NFL also has assistance to help these men on the exit of the NFL system as they do on the entry side of things.
October 21st, 2025 at 8:33 am
A lot of ex players seem to deal with depression. Very sad stuff.
October 21st, 2025 at 8:43 am
Depression is real.:(
October 21st, 2025 at 8:44 am
I’ve know people concussed one time and changed their whole life. A cousin slipped off a parked pickup bumper and hit his head on the pavement. Later would seem normal mostly, then get all paranoid and wave a pistol. NFL players have been getting concussed throughout their football careers. Depression? Is that the whole story?
October 21st, 2025 at 9:42 am
Chronic Depression is no walk in the park. It is a serious brain disease. Man, am I sorry to hear this sad news. I can only imagine what his family is enduring. DM is at peace now. I’m wishing the same for his family.
October 21st, 2025 at 10:47 am
Sadly, this sounds like cte. We are seeing it way to much now.
I still often think about Vincent Jackson and this incident with Doug reminds me of the same thing. We all love football, but I think more needs to be done here with players mental health once they leave the game. Whatever the cause with Doug , it is clear he needed help for his mental health
October 21st, 2025 at 11:59 am
We’re sorry to hear Joe “rarely deals with agents” because of their status as paid representatives.
Joe should explain why he deals with management, team representatives and spokesmouths who are embedded in the organization. They have even more allegiance to the League and even less loyalty to the truth.
October 21st, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Mike got concussed on a concrete floor last night!
Artificial turf is on top of CONCRETE!
The first thing the NFL needs to do is change the rules about fields!
No more concrete + artificial turf!!
Dean also got hurt on that field bc of the freaking concrete field!
October 21st, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Because they lie far less (unless you are dealing with Bruce Almighty, who ironically is a former agent) and know more. Agents lie more and aside from their clients, don’t have a bunch of intel.
October 21st, 2025 at 1:42 pm
No proof here, just speculation – the “scuffle” resulted in Tasing, and may have caused a cardiac event?