Patriots LB Jahlani Tavai’s Wife Reveals Tragic Loss

While New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai may have been conspicuous by his physical absence from the team’s Week 12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium, the seven-year veteran was certainly with the team in spirit.

Despite missing the game due to was disclosed at the time as “personal reasons,” Tavai watched from New England as his teammates earned their 10th win of the season.

What we now know is that Tavai was spiritually willing his team to victory in Week 12 with an incredibly heavy heart. His partner, Kalei Mau, recently revealed that they were mourning the loss of their unborn daughter, Ka ua, who was due to be born in March 2026. Mau was hospitalized at Mass General from Nov. 20 through Nov. 26, accounting for Tavai’s absence during that period.

“I got an extremely rare blood infection,” Mau revealed via Instagram. “On November 20, I was placed in a medically induced coma after I was found unresponsive in my bed. I was asleep for six days. Unfortunately, with my organs failing and the sickness infecting my placenta, our baby passed away in my womb … Hours later, my body went into natural labor and Jahlani watched me deliver our baby unconscious. He said it was like my body just knew what to do.

“Her name is Ka ua, which means ‘The Rain’ in Olelo O Hawai’i. And with Ka ua, everything grows. By the grace of God and the power of prayer, I woke up and it was clear what I had to continue to live. Thank you Jesus.

“The day after I got out of the hospital, I got to kiss my daughter for the first and last time. She was perfect to me. It was so hard to leave her. But when I walked outside it started to rain and it brought me joy to know she’ll always be with me.”

Mau concluded the posting by expressing her gratitude to the doctors and hospital staff for saving her life. She also thanked the Patriots for supporting the family. The couple welcomed their first child, Honua, last year in November.

The 2025 New England Patriots have built gridiron “Ohana”

While the Hawaiian term, “Ohana” is typically reserved to express close familial ties, the 2025 Patriots have seemingly developed a bond which may find itself worthy of such a moniker. During his darkest hour, Tavai’s gridiron “Ohana” rallied to provide their “brother” with a spiritual lift.

“We just wanted him to know how much we love him, how much we care for him, and how much we care for everything he’s got going on. We’re brothers,” said tight end Hunter Henry, who immediately dedicated his Week 12 touchdown catch to the Hawaii product. After the game, the Patriots gathered as a team to FaceTime Tavai from the visitors’ locker room.

Upon his return, head coach Mike Vrabel made Tavai a game captain for the Patriots Week 13 matchup against the New York Giants — his first game back on the field since his daughter’s passing. Overwhelmed by a myriad of feelings, Tavai reportedly broke down postgame inside the locker room. Shortly thereafter, Vrabel reflected on the close ties his team has developed throughout the past few months.

“These guys have built a bond that I want to try to just help nurture and help grow throughout the team,” Vrabel said. “Jahlani is somebody like that. You see everybody reaching out and caring for each other, not just him. But it was great to see him out there, play defense, help us on special teams. He made some plays and contributed to us winning.”