Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Linebacker Dies at 72

Rod Martin, who emerged from being a 12th-round draft pick to become a two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time All-Pro linebacker for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, has died. He was 72.

The Raiders confirmed Martin's passing with a statement Monday afternoon.

"The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Martin, a standout linebacker and key player on two Super Bowl championship teams," says the statement, which also praises Martin as a "mark of consistency" on defense.

"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."

A Raider through and through

Martin was the 317th overall pick in the 12th round of the 1977 NFL Draft out of USC. He spent 12 seasons with the Raiders, making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1983 and 1984 and being named first-team All-Pro and second-team All-Pro one time each.

After appearing in only one game as a rookie, Martin carved out a role in 1978 before becoming a full-time starter the following season. He finished his career with 56.5 sacks, 14 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and six defensive touchdowns (four on interception returns, two on fumble returns).

At his best in big moments

Martin helped the Raiders win Super Bowls XV and XVIII, leaving his mark on both games. In the team's 27-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV, Martin intercepted Philadelphia's Ron Jaworski three times, nearly earning game MVP honors.

Three years later, the versatile 6-foot-2, 218-pound defender recorded a sack, fumble recovery and critical fourth-down stop of running back John Riggins in the Raiders' 38-9 beatdown of the defending champion Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII.