Former NFL star Doug Martin had shown signs of a person in crisis months before an incident on Saturday that led to his detainment by Oakland police, where he later died.
Martin’s death is under investigation after Oakland police allege he broke into a neighbor’s home during a mental health-related episode and later died after he struggled with responding officers.
But the former Buccaneers and Raiders running back had shown signs that something was wrong earlier, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle, during an incident that led to Martin being placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold.
The outlet obtained a copy of an Alameda County Sheriff’s Office report from an Aug. 13 incident at the Tranquility Rehab Center in Castro Valley, California.
Martin checked himself into the facility and tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamine, while also possessing fentanyl and a hunting knife, the report indicated.
It was Aug. 13 that painted the most vivid picture of what Martin was going through in the months ahead of the tragic death on Saturday.
According to the report, a clinical supervisor arrived at the rehab center to find Martin dancing with blood on his hands and face in the front driveway around 9 a.m.
The supervisor called for authorities, telling them that the ex-NFL star had been experiencing a psychotic episode, and investigated whether Martin had jumped out of his second-floor window, having to force her way into his room and finding the window was open and a screen pushed out, per the report.
Martin was described as “extremely paranoid,” though compliant with deputies, and when they asked if he was armed, he replied, “kinda.”
The situation escalated when deputies told Martin that they had to pat him down before paramedics could look at him, which led to a struggle between deputies and Martin as the officers tried to grab his wrist to handcuff him.
At one point, Martin hit the hand of one of the deputies, which led to the deputy punching Martin twice in the nose and mouth during the chaotic scene, the report stated.
Deputies were able to eventually pin Martin down to handcuff him, and found three small bags of cocaine in his pocket and a 12-inch chef’s knife in his backpack.
Since Martin had apparently jumped from his second-story window, the deputies were able to place him in a 72-hour psychiatric hold since they deemed him a danger to himself, which they can do under state law.
Martin’s family said in a statement following his death that he “battled mental health challenges that profoundly impacted his personal and professional life.”
“Ultimately, mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run,” the statement read.
“Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support,” the statement noted. “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. An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway.”
Martin was a star for Boise State before playing seven seasons in the NFL, six with the Buccaneers and one with the Raiders.
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