Mysterious Death of Former College Football Star at 24 Sparks Questions and Shock

Sometimes, the drama of college football spills beyond the roaring stadiums and into the quiet, unsuspecting corners of everyday life—like a parking garage. Tyler Martinez, a 24-year-old former defensive tackle for Texas Southern University, found himself tragically caught in a deadly dispute away from the gridiron. It’s jarring to think that the intensity so often reserved for the field’s fiercest rivalries can ignite in places as mundane as an apartment complex parking lot. What does it say about the battles athletes face, even when the lights go out? Tyler’s story is a haunting reminder that the game, for some, doesn’t end with the final whistle. Our hearts go out to those touched by this senseless loss. LEARN MORE

A former college football player was found dead in a parking garage at 24 years old.

Tyler Martinez, a former Texas Southern University football player, was reportedly found dead in a parking garage over the weekend. He is believed to have died as a result of a parking garage dispute.

The dispute reportedly occurred at the apartment complex in which he was living at.

“Tyler Martinez, 24, was shot multiple times at the Mac 4460 apartments on South MacGregor Way at Calhoun Friday night,” ABC 13 in Houston reports.

“Isaac Robinson, 22, was charged with murder after police said he returned to the scene.

“Public records indicate both Martinez and Robinson live at the complex.”

Martinez, 24, played for four seasons at Texas State. His career ended in 2023, according to the school’s website. He had reportedly been playing as a defensive tackle.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family members following this difficult time.