Former Trojan Mosi Tatupu selected to Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

Former USC and NFL fullback Mosi Tatupu, who played for the Trojans in 1974-77, has been selected to the 2015 class of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.

Former USC linebacker Junior Seau was part of the inaugural class last year.

Tatupu, who died in 2010, was a member of USC’s 1974 team that finished 10-1-1 under coach John McKay and finished No. 1 in the United Press International poll. He was an eighth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 1978 and played 14 seasons in the NFL.

At USC, Tatupu blocked for star tailbacks Anthony Davis, Ricky Bell and Charles White.

Tatupu “was one of the smartest, toughest players I’ve ever known,” former USC coach John Robinson said in 2010 after Tatupu’s death.

Tatupu’s son, Lofa, played linebacker at USC in 2003 and 2004 and helped the Trojans win national titles before he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2005 NFL draft.

Mosi Tatupu is part of a hall of fame class that includes five other former NFL players, including defensive lineman Luther John Elliss, who played college football at Utah; offensive lineman Manase Jesse Sapolu (Hawaii); offensive lineman Raymond Frederick Schoenke (Southern Methodist); Mark Pulemau Tuinei (UCLA and Hawaii); and tight end Russ Francis (Oregon).

Enshrinement weekend is Jan. 23-24 on Hawaii’s Oahu.