Popular Patriot Tatupu dies

Mosi Tatupu, whose inspired special teams play won the hearts of New England Patriots fans, has died at the age of 54, the National Football League team confirmed on Wednesday.

"I know that I share a heavy heart today with Patriots fans everywhere who have learned of Mosi Tatupu's passing," Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots, said in a statement.

"He was a dominant special teams player and a punishing rusher who loved the Patriots as much as the fans did," he said.

Tatupu was chosen by the Patriots in the 1978 draft and played 13 of his 14 National Football League seasons with the team including an appearance in the 1985 Super Bowl where they were thrashed 46-10 by the Chiago Bears. He finished his career with the Los Angeles Rams in 1991.

Tatupu died on Tuesday in hospital, but hospital spokeswoman Ashley O'Brien said they were not at liberty to disclose a cause of death.

Emergency crews had responded to a call at his home on Tuesday and taken him to hospital.

Tatupu rushed for 2,415 yards and 18 touchdowns, including a career best 578 yards in 1983 and was known for his prowess on snowy, icy fields.

He never achieved superstar status, but his explosive play on kickoff and punt return teams made him a fan favorite, and his own cheering section dubbed themselves "Mosi's Mooses."

"As a teammate, he was one of the best," former Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan said. "He was one of those guys that made life fun whether it was in the locker room or on the practice fields."

Since retiring from the NFL, Tatupu had coached high school and college football.

Tatupu was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and was a high school football star in Hawaii. His son, Lofa Tatupu, is a linebacker with the Seattle Seahawks.