Former New England Patriots running back Mosi Tatupu died at the age of 54, according to the Honolulu Star Bulletin. One of Tatupu's longtime teammates, quarterback Steve Grogan, reminisced on Tatupu's football career this morning.

"He was not only a really good football player who could do a lot of different things for you -- from special teams, to goal-line situations, coming out of backfield and catching the ball, blocking -- but one of those fun guys in the locker room who also had fun on the field," Grogan said. "When he went to practice, he had a smile on his face all the time because he was having fun. He enjoyed playing football. He could have played in any era, for anybody at any time. It’s a shame that he’s gone at such an early age.”

Tatupu had a strong connection with Patriots fans who had a cheering section "Mosi's Mooses" and respected the hard-nosed approach with which he played.

"I think football fans in this area appreciate a lunch-pail attitude, someone who shows up for work every day and that's what Mosi did," Grogan said. "I think his personality, the spirit and fun he showed on the field, transferred to fans. That's why they loved him so much."