Rod Martin Dies at Age 72, Former Raiders All-Pro LB Won 2 Super Bowls

Raiders legend Rod Martin died at the age of 72.

"The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Martin, a standout linebacker and key player on two Super Bowl championship teams," the Las Vegas Raiders announced Monday. "… 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 linebacker played for the Raiders when they were based in Oakland and then Los Angeles and was a 12th-round selection out of USC in the 1977 NFL draft.

He played all 12 of his seasons with the organization and was a back-to-back Pro Bowler in the 1983 and 1984 seasons. He was also a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 1983 and a First-Team All-Pro selection in 1984.

Martin finished that First-Team All-Pro season with 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery he returned for a touchdown, a safety and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

It was fitting he scored on both an interception return and fumble return that season, as he finished his career with six defensive touchdowns.

While the individual excellence during the regular season was notable, Martin cemented himself as a Raiders legend with his postseason performances. He helped lead the team to the Super Bowl title during the 1980 and 1983 seasons and was a defensive hero in both games.

In Super Bowl XV, he set a Super Bowl record with three interceptions in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Then, he notched a sack and fumble recovery during the victory over Washington in Super Bowl XVIII.

"It was awesome," he once said of his three interceptions on the way to the first Lombardi Trophy, per Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times. "I just thought I needed to get one of those passes that day."