Former New England Patriot running back, Mosi Tatupu, was pronounced dead Tuesday at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass. at the age of 54.

The cause of death remains unknown but according to reports Tatupu suffered from high blood pressure among other ailments.

Tatupu, who played for the New England Patriots from 1978 to 1990, was a fan favorite; he even had his own cheering section in the stadium. He made it to the Pro Bowl in 1986. During his last season in the NFL, he played five games for the Rams before leaving in 1991.

Throughout his career he had 18 touchdowns and 2,415 rushing yards in 199 career games. He averaged 3.9 yards per carry. Also on his resume are 96 catches for 843 yards; two received scores.

He was father to current Seahawks star linebacker Lofa Tatupu, whom he coached football to in high school at King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, Mass.

He was running backs coach at Curry College in Milton, Mass. Tatupu was in the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.

Most recently, in September, he was honored as a special-teamer on the Patriots’ 50th anniversary team. He participated in a ceremony during halftime of the New England Patriots’ 2009 season opener.