ATTLEBORO, Mass. (AP) — Mosi Tatupu (MOE'-see tah-TOO'-poo), a fan favorite who played 13 seasons for the New England Patriots, has died. He was 54.

Ashley O'Brien, a spokeswoman for Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass., said Tatupu was pronounced dead at the hospital Tuesday. She did not give a cause.

Tatupu was chosen by the Patriots in the eighth round of the 1978 draft out of Southern California. He stayed with the team until 1990.

The running back rushed for 2,415 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was better known for his special teams play.

Tatupu had his own cheering section known as "Mosi's Mooses."

He coached his son, Lofa, now a linebacker with the Seattle Seahawks, at King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham.

Tatupu was high school star in Hawaii.