Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin died Saturday at the age of 36, his family announced Sunday.

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

The Buccaneers and Boise State, where Martin starred before entering the NFL, shared statements honoring his life and career, as did numerous former teammates and opponents.

Drafted by Tampa Bay in 2012, Martin exploded onto the scene as a Pro Bowler in his rookie year, rushing for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 49 receptions for 472 yards and another score.

The compact, powerful runner quickly earned the nickname “Muscle Hamster” from fans and media, an emblem of his relentless style and low-centered burst through contact.

Martin returned to Pro Bowl form in 2015 with 1,402 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and 33 catches for 271 yards and a score, reminding the league of his elite vision and one-cut acceleration.

The remainder of his Buccaneers tenure was marred by injuries and a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, and he did not surpass 1,000 rushing yards outside of 2012 and 2015.

After the 2017 season, the Bucs released Martin.

He signed with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018, posting 723 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and was re-signed ahead of 2019 before being released in late August as the team turned to rookie Josh Jacobs.

Martin’s legacy in Tampa Bay endures. He was a fierce competitor, a two-time Pro Bowler, and a fan favorite whose best days electrified Raymond James Stadium. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire Buccaneers community.

Monday reports indicated that Martin died while in Oakland (CA) police custody per the Mercury News.

“Doug Martin, a former running back for the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died while in Oakland police custody early Saturday morning, multiple sources close to the investigation told this news organization on Sunday.

“Martin, 36, died at a hospital after being contacted by Oakland police, who were responding to reports of a home break-in just after 4:15 a.m. in East Oakland, the sources said. His cause of death has yet to be determined, and the incident remains under investigation by multiple local law enforcement agencies.”