Mosi Tatupu, a fullback on USC’s 1974 national championship football team who performed 14 many years within the NFL, died on Tuesday in Attleboro, Mass.

He was 54. The trigger of his death has yet to become determined.

Tatupu's son, Lofa, was a standout linebacker for that Trojans on two national title teams -- 2003 and 2004 -- and now plays for that Seattle Seahawks.

The elder Tatupu, a native of American Samoa, lettered 4 many years (1974-77) at USC. He rushed for One,277 yards on 223 carries in his profession at Troy and was USC’s Offensive Player from the Yr and Most Inspirational Player in 1977. USC went 37-10-1 in his profession and won 4 bowl video games, such as two Rose Bowls.

He performed within the NFL using the New England Patriots (1978-90) and Los Angeles Rams (1991). He was identified for his rugged operating type, difficult blocking and stellar special-teams perform, producing him a fan favorite. He performed within the 1986 Super Bowl and created the Pro Bowl that yr. He rushed for Two,415 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in his 13-year Patriots profession. He set an NFL record for most video games performed by a operating back again (199).

From 1997 via 2006, the Mosi Tatupu Award was provided annually towards the university football unique teams player from the yr.

Right after his playing profession, Tatupu was the head football coach at King Philip Regional Higher in Wrentham, Mass., wherever he coached his son, Lofa. From 2002 to 2007, he was an assistant coach at Curry University in Milton, Mass.