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Minnesota Vikings Legend Doug Martin, the team's 1980 First-Round Pick, as died at the age of 68.

The Minnesota Vikings have announced the sad news that Doug Martin, the team’s 1980 first-round pick, has died. Martin passed away on Monday, April 20, at the age of 68. His cause of death hasn’t been revealed.

The Vikings selected Martin with the No. 9 overall pick out of the University of Washington. In college, he helped the Huskies beat the Texas Longhorns, 14-7, in the Sun Bowl, and scored the most valuable lineman award with 10 tackles and a sack, according to the Vikings.

In college, Martin became friends with his teammate, Warren Moon, who also, of course, would go on to play for the Vikings.

“I’ll always remember his big chuckle, his laugh, and I will miss him calling me ‘Moony,'” Moon said in a statement. “He was a loyal and honest friend.”

Doug Martin: Vikings Legend, 1980 First-Round Pick, Dies at 68

Martin was a native of Fairfield, California. His brother George Martin was also an NFL legend, being drafted by the New York Giants in the 11th round of the 1975 NFL Draft.

After getting picked by the Vikings, Doug said that he was hoping to be on the same team as his brother but was still happy to be a top 10 pick in the NFL draft. “At one time, I was hoping that I’d get a chance to play on the same team with my brother,” he said at the time, right after being drafted to the team. “But I can’t complain after the Vikings thought enough of me to select me in the first round.”

Doug was appreciated by his teammates, and they’ve often sang his praises. Vikings Ring of Honor linebacker Scott Studwell joined forces with the player for the defensive end’s entire NFL career, from 1980 to 1989, and called Doug a “solid, tough, really talented guy.”

“Tough to hear about Doug — he’s a great guy,” Studwell said. “He was a huge part of any success we had, and you could count on him. He was a great player and a better man. We will miss him.”

Minnesota Vikings Staffers Remember Doug Martin

Defensive coordinator Floyd Peters has also said shining words about the player. “Doug is a leader in a quiet way. Some guys are rah-rah guys,” he said, according to the Vikings’ official website. “Some, like Doug Martin, work hard to show people how things should be done. He’s an active man, and you can tell he’s enjoying himself.”

Martin was with the Vikings for 10 years. He proved to be an important part of that team for his full NFL career. He played in a total of 126 regular-season games, including 94 starts, according to NFL research. In 1982, Martin led the NFL with 11.5 sacks, and it would have been more, but the season was shortened to nine games because of a strike. Martin also had a career-high 13 sacks in 1983 and 61.5 sacks for his career, according to the stats, which lands him at at fourth on the team’s all-time sack list.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Doug’s family during this difficult time.