A Hawaiian newspaper is reporting today that former Patriots [team stats] fullback and hard-nosed special teams star Mosi Tatupu has died.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports Tatupu, considered one of the greatest athletes in the history of Hawaii, was 54 when he died Tuesday.

Tatupu suffered from high-blood pressure, the paper reports. A friend told the Star-Bulletin last night that Tatupu “had some health issues.” That friend, the paper adds, was told of Tatupu’s death from the former Pro Bowler’s ex-wife.
Mosi Tatupu was a fan favorite with the Patriots playing for New England from 1978 to 1990. He was named to the Patriots 50th anniversary team this past fall as a special-team stalwart.

He was best known for his Herculean playing style and had his own cheering section in Foxboro called “Mosi’s Mooses.”

He was also the first American Samoan to play in a Pro Bowl (1986).

The University of Southern California graduate was drafted in the eighth round by the Patriots in 1978. He played a total of 14 years in the NFL – also playing for the L.A. Rams at the end of his career – and was on the Patriots 1986 Super Bowl XX squad.

He was also the head coach at King Philip High in Wrentham when his son was in high school. He also coached at Curry College in Milton, assisting with the running backs.

According to NFL statistics, he had 612 carries and 2,415 yards in his 14-year career.

Tatupu is also survived by his son, Lofa, a star linebacker with the Seattle Seahawks.