Former New England Patriots Star Mosi Tatupu Dead at Age 54

New England Patriots fan favorite and special teams All-Pro, Mosi Tatupu, died yesterday according to reports from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin .

The cause of Tatupu's death is not known at this time though he reportedly suffers from high blood pressure and other ailments.

Tatupu, who made the NFL All-pro team as a special teams player in 1986, was a Patriots fan favorite while playing for the team from 1978-1990. He finished his career playing one season for the Los Angeles Rams.

Tatupu graduated high school in 1974 from Punahou School in Honolulu, HI, where he held many high school rushing records.

He was later drafted out of USC in the eighth round of the 1978 draft. He rushed for 2,415 yards, scored twenty career touchdowns and actually ended his career with a perfect pass completion percentage (two completions in two attempts). 

His coach at USC, John Robinson, referred to Tatupu as "the best blocking back at USC since (fellow Patriot) Sam Cunningham."

From 1981 to 1983, the pride of Pago, Pago in the American Samoan Islands, averaged nearly 5.5 yards per carry from scrimmage. His best statistical season as a pro was during the  1983 season when he rushed for 583 yards in 106 carries.

He appeared in the 1986 Patriots Super Bowl against the Bears, a game the Patriots list 46-10.

At 6'0" and weighing 227 pounds while playing, Tatupu was known for his low center of gravity and his wide feet and legs and his ability to continue to drive when the defense presumed he was stopped. Tatupu became proclaimed for his ability to run in the New England snow.

Due to his prowess as a special teams player, the Mosi Tatupu Award was given annually to the College Football Special Teams Player of the year from 1997 to 2006 by the Maui Quarterback Club and the Hula Bowl. Previous winners included NFL stars Chris McAlister, Deltha O'Neil and fellow Patriot Wes Welker.

Since retiring, Tatupu has coached at the high school and college levels in Massachusetts. He was most recently the running-backs coach at NCAA Division III school Curry College in Milton, MA, a program previously led by former New England Patriot.

Tatupu is survived by, among others, his son, Seattle Seahawks linebacker, Lofa Tatupu . The younger Tatupu who played for his father at King Philip Regional High, Wrentham, MA recently donated $10,000 to USA Football to help establish American Samoa’s first youth football program.

Mosi presented Lofa’s donation to USA Football executive director Hallenbeck in early February before USA Football “Team USA vs. the World’’ game in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The participants in the game included 90 of the world’s best high school-age players from four continents. Mosi Tatupu was an honorary captain for the World team, which had three American Samoan players on its roster.