NFL Star Tatupu’s Cause of Death Still Unknown
Mosi Tatupu, former NFL running back for the New England Patriots, died Tuesday in a Massachusetts hospital. The hospital has not disclosed cause of death. He was 54.
Born in 1955 in American Samoa, Tatupu and his family moved to Hawaii. There, he became a star running back for his high school football team. Tatupu attended USC and was a part of its 1974 national championship team. As a Trojan, he rushed for 1,277 yards before being selected in the eighth found of the 1978 draft.
He played 13 seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots, and he finished his career with 612 carries for 2,415 yards and 18 TDs and made the Pro Bowl as a special teams player in 1986. In 1991, he spent five games with the Rams before retiring.
In addition to being an extraordinary football player, Tatupu was also an extraordinary person off the field. Whether it was through his coaching, friendship, or mere positive presence, the impact he had on others’ lives is evident in the outpouring of response for this man. He will be well-remembered and well-missed.
Tatupu’s son, Lofa, is a star linebacker for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks; he also went to USC.
[photo: AP/New England Patriots]
Tags: athlete death, Lofa Tatupu, Mosi Tatupu, New England Patriots, NFL, USC football