LONDON -- Britains independent police watchdog opened an investigation Monday into the death of a former Premier League soccer player who was shot with a stun gun by police.Dalian Atkinson, 48, went into cardiac arrest on the way to a hospital and died around 90 minutes after officers used a Taser on him, the West Midlands Ambulance Service said in a statement. Officers deployed stun guns after being called to an address in Telford, northwest of Birmingham, involving the safety of an individual, West Mercia Police said.He had some health issues that he was trying to get through and thats why his heart was weak, his nephew Fabian Atkinson said. When a Taser is deployed, as soon as a Taser is deployed, they need to automatically call an ambulance. How do they know the health of the guy or the girl that they are affecting?The case immediately touched off a debate about the use of Tasers in a country where police rarely carry guns.Black people were three times more likely to be involved in Taser incidents than whites from 2011 to 2015, according to Home Office statistics obtained by the BBC in a Freedom of Information request. Atkinson was black.The Independent Police Complaints Commission swiftly moved to take charge of the investigation into Atkinsons death.I would like to assure people that we have begun a full and thorough investigation into police contact with Dalian Atkinson prior to his death, including the level and type of force used, said the IPCCs deputy chair, Rachel Cerfontyne. Our investigation team have been securing and preserving relevant evidence, and identifying witnesses.Three of Atkinsons former clubs -- Aston Villa, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday -- all paid respects in posts on their websites. Englands Football Association said it was saddened to hear of the passing of Atkinson, who represented Englands `B team.Atkinson scored 20 Premier League goals during his time at Villa from 1991-95. He also played for Ipswich, Wednesday and Manchester City in England, and had spells with Real Sociedad in Spain, Fenerbahce in Turkey and also in South Korea.Atkinson was most famous for a scoring a goal for Villa against Wimbledon in October 1992, when he ran from inside his own half, evaded a number of attempted challenges before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net. It was voted as goal of the season in the 1992-93 Premier League.Atkinson also scored in the 1994 League Cup final when Villa beat Manchester United 3-1.Aston Villa is saddened to hear of the death of our former striker Dalian Atkinson, the second-tier club said in a statement. Dalian undoubtedly provided real memorable moments during his time in claret and blue.Wednesday said Atkinson was widely regarded as one of the most exciting football talents to emerge during the mid-1980s to early 1990s.In an era when English players seldom played abroad, Atkinson scored 12 goals in 29 league games during one season with Real Sociedad, before returning to England to play for Villa. He scored 10 goals in 21 league games for Istanbul-based Fenerbahce after leaving Villa.---Steve Douglas reported from Manchester.Fake Reds Jerseys . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Cincinnati Reds Gear . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. Cincinnati Reds Store . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. Reds Jerseys 2019 . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville.TAMPA, Fla. -- Doug Martin doesnt believe in the so-called sophomore jinx. Tampa Bays second-year running back rushed for 1,454 yards and scored 12 touchdowns as a rookie, and the Buccaneers believe hes capable of performing even better in 2013. Especially with two of the teams best players -- guards Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph -- returning from injuries to strengthen the offensive line. Martin finished third in the NFL behind Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson with 1,926 total yards from scrimmage in 2012. He was fourth in rushing behind Peterson, Alfred Morris, Marshawn Lynch and Jamal Charles after being selected with the 31st overall pick of last years draft. Now, hes eager to build on that success. "Im more confident in what Im doing out there. I cant wait for the season to start," Martin said following practice during the teams three-day mandatory minicamp. "Theres a lot of room to improve. Its the second year in this system," the former Boise State standout said. "Getting a second year under our belt, everyone looks pretty comfortable." The Bucs traded up to select the 5-foot-9, 215-pound Martin late in the first round of the draft, confident that he had the size and toughness to be an every-down back as a pro. After a relatively quiet first six weeks of his rookie season, Martin burst into the spotlight with a 29-carry, 135-yard performance in a nationally televised Thursday night game against Petersons Minnesota Vikings. He also turned one of his three pass receptions into a 64-yard touchdown. The following week he averaged 10 yards per carry while running for 251 yards and four TDs to key another road victory at Oakland. The team-record output included touchdown bursts of 45, 67 and 70 yards, making him the first player in NFL history to score three rushing TDs of 45 or more yards in the same game. "Every day he comes in and gives it his best," quarterback Josh Freeman said, adding the return this season of Nicks and Joseph, should give Martin a chance to be even more effective in 2013. "Having Carl and Davin back and healthy, thats going to make a huge diffference," Freeman added.dddddddddddd"Im not saying youre expecting a drop-off or anything, but those are two All Pro-calibre guys coming back, and I know theyre really hungry, really eager to get back on the field." The soft-spoken running backs success as a rookie may have surprised some people, but not coach Greg Schiano, who has likened Martins style to that of Baltimores Ray Rice, who played for Schiano at Rutgers. As part of his preparation for the upcoming season, Martin has been watching film of some of the all-time great NFL running backs, including Jim Brown and Walter Payton. "Theyre relentless runners," Martin said. "What I learn from watching them is it took three or four guys to bring them down. Dont let one guy bring you down, just always run hard." As good as Martin was as a rookie, Schiano said he -- and the entire offence for that matter -- figures to benefit from a second year in the Bucs system. "Absolutely," Schiano said. "If you look at him, I think he looks better now than he did this time last year -- physically, understanding-wise, all those things. I think theres another level for him for sure." Freeman became Tampa Bays first 4,000-yard passer in 2012, Vincent Jackson had 72 receptions for 1,384 and eight touchdowns, and Martin had five 100-yard games and broke the teams rookie rushing record. To cap it off, Martin was selected to play in the Pro Bowl. "Being a rookie, it was crazy seeing all those vets. Youve got the Manning brothers, Drew Brees, everybody. It was crazy," Martin said, adding one of the highlights of the trip was "just hanging out with the guys" and practicing with players such as Peterson, Lynch and Larry Fitzgerald. His stellar first season also has made him more recognizable around the Tampa Bay area. "That comes with the game and being successful on the field," he said of fan reaction to him in public. "I say: Thank you very much, thank you very much. At the same time youve got to brush it off because youve got to get back out on the field and do it again." ' ' '