USC football countdown to kickoff—Mosi Tatupu in focus
Position: Running back
Years played at USC: 1974-1977
Career highlights: Coming to USC from Hawaii, Tatupu starred at fullback for the Trojans. He starred on special teams for the Trojans, while also making a name for himself blocking for star running backs Ricky Bell and Charles White. He is a member of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
From 1997 through 2006, the Mosi Tatupu Award was given out to the top special teams player in college football.
After USC: The New England Patriots selected Tatupu in the eighth round of the 1978 NFL Draft. He would go on to play 13 of his 14 NFL seasons with the Patriots, becoming a fan favorite and a special teams ace. In 1986, he was named to the Pro Bowl.
After retiring from football, Tatupu remained in Massachusetts, getting into coaching at the high school and Division III levels. His son, Lofa Tatupu, was an All-American linebacker on USC's early 2000s national championship teams.
Tatupu passed away in 2010 at the age of 54. According to an autopsy, CTE sustained during his football career played a role in his early death.
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