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Former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has experienced tremendous personal tragedy in just a few short weeks.
During that time, the six-time Pro Bowler mourned the loss of five of his former teammates and NFL colleagues — all of whom died before their 40th birthdays.
The Baltimore Ravens announced the death of Super Bowl champion Arthur Jones on October 3rd. He was 39. McCoy and Jones were members of the 2010 NFL Draft class and spent time working out together leading up to the scouting combine. On Saturday, reports surfaced of the death of former running back Doug Martin.
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The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was in police custody at the time. He was 36. McCoy played alongside Martin during their time in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium on September 7, 2014. (Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports)
Earlier this month, McCoy also learned that his uncle died.
Shortly after hearing of Martin’s death, McCoy urged others to check in with their loved ones. “Man that’s the 5th teammate I’ve lost. Yeah I’m done for the day. Go check on everyone man,” McCoy wrote on X.
McCoy told The Athletic that he hoped to avoid being moved to a state of seclusion because of the series of heartbreaking events.
“You don’t want to get to a point where you become numb to it,” McCoy told the magazine. “It’s just hard to deal with and it’s unbelievable. It keeps happening.”
DETAILS EMERGING ON DEATH OF EX-NFL STAR DOUG MARTIN
In addition to Martin’s death, McCoy has recently dealt with the loss of former NFL players: Geno Hayes, Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson. McCoy spent time with all of these players at various points in his long tenure with the Buccaneers.
Te’o-Nesheim and Jackson were posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease that has been linked to repeated head trauma.
Martin’s family sought help all the way up to the last hours of his life.
“Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical attention for him and had contacted local authorities for support,” said a statement from Martin’s former agent, Brian Murphy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93), running back Doug Martin (22) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) pose for a photo at NFC media day for the 2013 Pro Bowl at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort on January 25, 2013 in Ko Olina, Hawaii. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
“Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor’s residence two doors down where he was arrested by police. An investigation into what happened when he was detained is ongoing.”
McCoy recalled the special bond he developed with Jackson and his admiration for how he lived up to his nickname “The Ultimate Pro.”
Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves the field after a loss to the New England Patriots on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
“How he carried himself in the building, how he did interviews, how he practiced,” McCoy said. “How he took care of his body, how he was with his family, everything. That’s who V-Jack was. So when we lost him, it was like, ‘not him, of all people’.” He was Captain America. So it probably hit us the hardest.”
McCoy finished his decade-long professional football career with 59.5 sacks. He transitioned to broadcasting after his playing days ended and currently works as an NFL Network analyst.
