Former NFL star Doug Martin passes away aged 36 as tributes pour in for Pro Bowler and first-round pick

Doug Martin has passed away at the age of 36.

TMZ Sports broke the tragic news on Sunday afternoon that the former first-round pick had died earlier in the weekend.

“Doug Martin — a former running back who last played in the NFL in 2018 — has died … TMZ has learned. A source with direct knowledge confirmed to TMZ Martin passed away recently … though they did not share any further details,” wrote the site.

Martin's family released a brief statement as tributes flooded in for the running back.

“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning. Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time,” they said.

Martin bust onto the scene as a college superstar at Boise State.

The 5ft 9in Californian rushed for more than 3,400 yards and 43 touchdowns over four years to turn the program into a prominent force.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him 31st overall in 2012 and he spent five years in Florida, making two Pro Bowls and winning All-Pro honors in 2015.

He finished his career with the Raiders in 2018, having racked up 5,356 yards and 30 touchdowns before injuries took their toll.

The football community reacted with sadness to the tragic news.

"RIP to Fantasy Football Legend Doug Martin. Way too young," wrote fantasy analyst Matthew Berry.

"Rest in peace to a Bronco legend. You will be missed," added his alma mater on its official X account.

"Terrible to think the Bucs lost Vincent Jackson at 38 and now Doug Martin at 36. Two absolute stars a decade ago, gone too soon," wrote Bucs beat reporter Greg Auman.

"Losing Mike Williams, Vincent Jackson and now Doug Martin - 3 players of my childhood, stars on my favorite team hm gone entirely too soon hits like a freight train. Gone disgustingly too soon. Tell people you love them while you can," noted a Tampa Bay supporter.

Martin's best season came in 2015, where he rushed for 1,402 yards and six TDs and had 33 catches for 271 yards and a score.

His bruising style earned him the nickname the Muscle Hamster, which he apparently hated, preferring Dougernaut.

"I don't think it's ever going to leave him," Jarrell Root, a former defensive end who played with Martin at Boise State told ESPN.

"I don't think you can ever take back something like that," Root said. "Imagine if 'The Fridge' didn't like being called 'The Fridge.' It doesn't matter. He's still going to be called 'The Fridge,' because no matter how you try to do it, if you have an interesting, interesting name, it's too rare. The damage is already done."

Root claims that he branded Martin's college girlfriend, who was a gymnast, a muscle hamster before the RB came to her defense.

"Two little muscle hamsters just running around," Root replied.

He added in his 2025 interview: "We ended up just calling them both muscle hamsters.

"He hated it. He was like, 'OK, man, why can't I be like a pit bull or anything cool like that?' And I'm like, 'Dude, you're short. Hamsters are cool. There's nothing wrong with hamsters. Why do you hate hamsters?'

"You don't choose a nickname. If your buddies give you a nickname and it sucks and you don't like it, it just sticks with you. He really disliked it. But we just kept it rolling. We didn't understand how big it was until there was a giant hamster wearing a [No.] 22 [jersey] at our games. No joke."

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