Raiders announce death of Super Bowl champion, 2-time Pro Bowler

Linebacker Rod Martin, whose three interceptions against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV helped lift the Raiders to a championship, has died. He was 72.

Martin played 12 seasons in the NFL, all with the Raiders as the franchise moved from Oakland to Los Angeles. He won championship rings in 1981 and 1984 and made two Pro Bowl appearances along the way.

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Danny Reece, Martin’s teammate at the University of Southern California, wrote on Facebook that Martin died April 20.

“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 team announced in a statement April 20. “A 12th-round draft pick by the Silver and Black out of USC in 1977, Rod would become a mark of consistency on defense, playing in 165 games with 147 starts in 12 NFL seasons, all with the Raiders. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he was also named All-Pro twice, garnering first-team honors in 1984.

“As the central figure in a dominant defensive effort in Super Bowl XV, he set a Super Bowl record that still remains with three interceptions in the Raiders’ 27-10 victory over the Eagles. Three years later, he recorded a sack and fumble recovery as the Raiders defeated Washington in Super Bowl XVIII, 38-9.

“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 son of a West Virginia coal miner, Martin transferred to the University of Southern California from Los Angeles City College. He was an all-Pac-10 selection for the Trojans in 1976.