AP Photographer Dies Of Heart Attack After Taking Photos At Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Longtime Associated Press photographer Dave Martin collapsed on the field shortly after taking celebration shots of Texas A&M's win over Duke at Atlanta's football college game.

By
Tasneem Nashrulla
by Tasneem Nashrulla

BuzzFeed News Reporter

This photo of Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin being dunked after his team's win was one of the last shots taken by longtime Associated Press photographer Dave Martin. The 59-year-old died shortly after collapsing on the Georgia Dome field on Dec. 31.

AP Photo/Dave Martin, File

Martin ran on the field after Texas A&M’s win over Duke and started taking celebration shots before collapsing after he suffered from an apparent heart attack. He was administered CPR on the field and died in the hospital on the morning of Jan. 1.

AP Photo/John Bazemore

In this March 17 photo, AP Photographer Dave Martin moves out of the way of a Mississippi player after the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Known as Mullet to friends and colleagues, Martin joined the AP as a staff photographer in Montgomery, Ala., in 1983. He covered sports, conflicts, hurricanes, and tornadoes during his career, which spanned more than 30 years.

AP Photo/Jay Sailors, File

Some major news events he covered in the U.S. and around the world included Hurricane Katrina, the BP oil spill, tornadoes in Alabama, Super Bowls, the Olympics, as well as conflicts in Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iraq. Here are a few of his memorable photos:

AP Photo/John Bazemore

Dave Martin (second from right) at an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta.

The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in Alabama, 2010.

AP Photo/Dave Martin, File

In this Saturday, June 12, 2010, file photo, crude oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill is seen inside a wave as it washes ashore in Orange Beach, Ala.

Hurricane Lili in Lousiana, 2002.

AP Photo/Dave Martin, File

In this Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002, file photo, Jeff Gammons tries to walk against the wind and rain of Hurricane Lili as it neared landfall near New Iberia, La.

This year's Southeastern Conference NCAA football championship game.

AP Photo/Dave Martin, File

In this Dec. 7, 2013, file photo, Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates makes a touchdown catch against the Missouri during the first half of the Southeastern Conference NCAA football championship game in Atlanta.

Hurricane Georges in Florida, 1998.

AP Photo/Dave Martin, File

In this Sept. 25, 1998, file photo, Key West residents Brian Goss (left), George Wallace, and Michael Mooney (right) hold on to one other as they battle 90 mph winds along Houseboat Row in Key West, Fla., after the three had sought shelter behind a Key West hotel as Hurricane Georges descended on the Florida Keys. They were forced to seek other shelter when the storm conditions became too rough.

Masters golf tournament in Georgia, 2004.

AP Photo/Dave Martin, File

In this April 11, 2004, file photo, Phil Mickelson celebrates after winning the Masters golf tournament with at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

Hurricane Danny tornado outbreak in Alabama, 1985.

AP Photo/Dave Martin, File

In this Friday, Aug. 30, 1985, file photo, Mark Bailey holds his fiancée Belinda Mammack as they relax in an emergency shelter at Theodore High School, Ala.

Chick-fil-A Bowl NCAA college football game in Georgia, 2013.

Dave Martin / AP

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel smiles during the second half of the Chick-fil-A Bowl NCAA college football game against Duke on Dec. 31 in Atlanta.

Hurricane Katrine in Louisiana, 2005.

AP Photo/Dave Martin

In this Sept. 4, 2005, file photo, a makeshift tomb at a New Orleans street corner conceals a body that had been lying on the sidewalk for days in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The message reads, "Here lies Vera. God Help Us."

Correction: The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill photo was taken in Alabama. An earlier version of this post said it was taken in Atlanta.

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