Doug Martin, the former Minnesota Vikings defensive end who became the first player in NFL history to officially lead the league in sacks, died Monday. He was 68.
The Vikings announced his death and reached out to several of his former teammates for comment. Quarterback Warren Moon remembered Martin warmly. "I'll always remember his big chuckle, his laugh, and I will miss him calling me 'Moony,'" Moon said. "He was a loyal and honest friend."
Linebacker Scott Studwell, a member of the Vikings Ring of Honor, put it plainly. "He was a great player and a better man. We will miss him."
Martin was a first-round selection, taken ninth overall by Minnesota in the 1980 NFL Draft. He spent all 10 years of his professional career with the Vikings. His breakout moment came in 1982, a season reduced to nine games by a player strike. Despite the shortened schedule, Martin recorded 10.5 sacks. It was the first year the NFL counted sacks as an official statistic, making Martin the only player who could claim that historic distinction. He was also named a first-team All-Pro that season.
The following year he topped himself. In a full 16-game regular season in 1983, Martin registered 13 sacks, the best single-season total of his career. He never reached double digits again but posted nine sacks in two additional seasons. Over his career, he finished with 61.5 total sacks and seven forced fumbles.
Martin helped the Vikings reach the playoffs four times. Their deepest run came during the 1987 season, when the team advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
