Super Bowl hero Rod Martin has died at the age of 72, the Las Vegas Raiders announced on Monday.
Martin was a standout linebacker on two Super Bowl Championship teams for the then-Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders led the tributes to their former star, saying in a statement that the franchise was ‘deeply saddened’ by his passing. No cause of death is known at this time.
‘A beloved member of the Raiders Family and a favorite of Raiders fans everywhere, the deepest condolences of the entire Raider Nation are with Rod’s family at this time,’ the statement from the Raiders read.
Martin was selected by the Raiders in the 12th round of the 1977 draft out of USC, going on to play his entire 12-season career in Oakland.
He established himself as a key member of the Raiders’ defense, playing in 165 games with 147 starts throughout his decorated career.
Raiders Super Bowl hero Rod Martin has died at the age of 72, the team announced
The linebacker was a key member of two Super Bow championship teams. Pictured in 1984
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he was also named All-Pro twice, garnering first-team honors in 1984.
However, Martin’s most memorable moment came during Super Bowl XV when he starred as a dominant defensive force in the Raiders’ 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981.
The linebacker set a Super Bowl record during the big game, registering a massive three interceptions. It is a benchmark that remains to this day.
Three years later, he became a two-time Super Bowl champion when the Raiders defeated Washington 38-9.
During the Super Bowl XVIII victory, Martin recorded a sack and a fumble recovery.
Martin had four touchdown returns on his 14 career interceptions and scored two more on 10 fumble recoveries.
Born in West Virginia as the son of a coal miner, Martin relocated to Los Angeles in his youth, where he attended Alexander Hamilton High School – two years ahead of NFL hall of fame quarterback Warren Moon
He attended Los Angeles City College before transferring to USC. His USC coach John Robinson was reportedly the one to recommend Martin to Raiders head coach John Madden.
Martin is pictured in 2013 at the 30th anniversary of the Super Bowl XVIII-winning team
During his college days, Martin was an all-Pac-10 selection for the Trojans in 1976.
Following his career on the football field, Martin returned to USC to work at his alma mater. He served as a a programmer and manager of technical and user support services in the Information Sciences Institute.
After the tragic news of Martin’s death broke, many fans took to social media to pay tribute to the former NFL star.
Many hailed him as ‘one of the greatest to ever do it,’ while others remembered him fondly for his ‘gracious’ demeanor off the field.
‘Met him randomly at a Walmart years ago. We talked for 15-20 minutes about the good old days of The Raiders (you know before you became a corporate shell of your former selves). He was super cool and seemed like a good dude,’ one fan posted.
‘Very sad to hear of his passing, was lucky to have seen him play. Met him once in person. Such a gracious man. My condolences to his family. RIP legend,’ said a second.
A third posted: ‘RIP to Rod Martin. Solid player and a big part of those Raiders teams.’
‘One of the greatest to ever do it. A true Raider through and through. RIP,’ wrote another.
‘Heartbreaking. I had the privilege of meeting him a few years ago. He even let me put on his Super Bowl rings for a photo with him. All time great Raider. Great person,’ added another.
