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Former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy experienced enormous personal tragedies in just a few weeks.
During that time, the six-time Pro Bowler mourned the loss of five of his former NFL teammates and colleagues, all of whom died before their 40th birthdays.
The Baltimore Ravens announced the death of Super Bowl champion Arthur Jones on October 3. He was 39 years old. McCoy and Jones were members of the 2010 NFL Draft class and spent time training together before scouting. On Saturday, reports emerged 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 years old. McCoy played alongside Martin during their time in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) against the Carolina Panthers during 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 had died.
Shortly after learning of Martin’s death, McCoy urged others to reach out to their loved ones. “Dude, this is the 5th teammate I’ve lost. Yep, I’m done for the day. Go see everyone, man,” McCoy wrote on X.
McCoy told The Athletic he hopes to avoid being placed in a state of detachment due to the series of heartbreaking events.
“You don’t want to get to the point where you become numb,” McCoy told the outlet. “It’s just hard to deal with and it’s unbelievable. It keeps happening.”
DETAILS EMERGE INTO DEATH OF EX-NFL STAR DOUG MARTIN
In addition to Martin’s death, McCoy recently had to deal 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 different points during his long stint with the Buccaneers.
Te’o-Nesheim and Jackson were posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma.
Martin’s family asked for help until the last hours of his life.
“Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for assistance,” read 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 during the 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 overnight and entered a neighbor’s residence two doors away, where he was taken into custody by police. An investigation into what happened while he was in custody 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 against the New England Patriots on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
“How he handled himself in the building, how he conducted his interviews, how he trained,” McCoy said. “How he took care of his body, how he was around 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 that’s the one that probably affected us the most.”
McCoy finished his decade-long professional football career with 59.5 sacks. He moved into broadcasting after his playing days ended and currently works as an NFL Network analyst.
