Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai missed a recent win at Cincinnati and a few team practices due to what the team called a personal matter.
Late Wednesday night, Tavai’s partner, Kalei Mau, revealed they have been mourning the loss of their unborn daughter after a medical emergency in late November.
Mau wrote on Instagram: “I got an extremely rare blood infection. 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 for. 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.”
Shortly after beating the Bengals on Nov. 23, Patriots players dedicated their win to Tavai. Teammates also connected with him via FaceTime from the post-game locker room.
“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,” Pats tight end Hunter Henry said immediately after the win on Nov. 23. “I’ve been playing with him for a few years now and gotten close with him. (I) just wanted him to know he’s loved.”
Upon Tavai’s return for a Monday night game against the Giants on Dec. 1, head coach Mike Vrabel made him a game captain and later let Tavai break down the huddle inside the winning locker room.
“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.”
In her post, Mau thanked the Patriots organization and Massachusetts General Hospital for their support during a difficult time.
“This is such a special team I’m honored to be a part of,” she wrote. “I’m home now healing and still processing but with a grateful heart.”
Last year, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Honua, in mid-November. Days later, Tavai led the Patriots with nine tackles and a sack during a road win at Chicago. He then became one of the few defensive veterans to return to the Patriots under Vrabel this offseason.
Tavai, 29, is set to play in his ninth game this Sunday when the Patriots welcome Buffalo and take their shot at clinching the AFC East title.