Doug Martin, a standout defensive tackle and one of the first All-American players under legendary University of Washington football coach Don James, passed away over the weekend due to natural causes. At 68 years old, his legacy as a key figure in the Huskies’ rise to prominence remains deeply embedded in the program’s history.
Martin, who stood at 6-foot-3 and weighed 250 pounds, hailed from Fairfleld, California, and joined the Huskies in 1976 during James’ second year as head coach. His impact was immediate, as he quickly secured a starting position by midseason, outpacing a senior player for the role. He would go on to start 40 consecutive games, including the 1978 Rose Bowl against Michigan and the 1979 Sun Bowl against Texas.
“Doug was like a born leader,” said Al Burleson, a former UW safety and teammate. “He had all the ability and qualifications to gain instant respect after just a few weeks.”
Martin made the decision to join the Huskies rather than UCLA, which had been a strong possibility until Bruins coach Dick Vermeil left for the NFL to take over the Philadelphia Eagles. His time at Washington was marked by impressive statistics, including 313 career tackles. As a junior, he recorded 106 tackles, an impressive number for a defensive lineman. His contributions earned him recognition, including second-team All-Pac-8 honors as a sophomore, first-team All-Pac-10 as a junior and senior, and a second-team All-American selection in his final season.
“He made sure we had a great pass rush,” said Spider Gaines, a former wide receiver and teammate. “He was a great talent.”
Martin’s success at the collegiate level led to his selection as the ninth overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. At the time, this made him the second-highest drafted Husky in history, following only Rudy Mucha, who was taken fourth in 1941.
His professional career with the Vikings spanned 10 seasons, during which he became the highest-paid player in franchise history with a contract worth nearly $500,000. However, this came at a cost, as Martin held out for months, represented by controversial agent Howard Slusher. He missed all of rookie camp, training camp, and the exhibition season before finally reporting for the 1980 season.
Martin’s peak came in 1982 when he was named first-team All-Pro and led the NFL with 11.5 sacks in just nine games. Over his career, he played in 126 games, started 94, and recorded 50.5 sacks.
After retiring from football, Martin lived in Woodinville and remained connected to his former teammates. Just two weeks ago, he met with a group that included quarterback Warren Moon and running back Ronny Rowland.
Known for his low-key and humble nature, Martin often entertained his teammates with early morning bass fishing trips on Lake Washington before enduring rigorous two-a-day practices. His dedication and character left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
“He was one of the ultimate teammates,” said Burleson. “He was super gifted and a pretty humble guy. He’s definitely going to be missed.”
