Last Updated on October 15, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Jahlani Tavai is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 28, 1996, in Inglewood, California, he comes from a large Samoan-American family with an extraordinary sporting background. His parents are William Tavai and Nafanua Schuster-Tavai, and he has six siblings: five brothers named Jordan, J.R., Justus, Jonah, and Jagger, and a sister named Serena.
Off the field, Tavai is engaged to former professional volleyball player Kalei Mau. The couple welcomed their daughter Honua in November 2024 and experienced the heartbreaking loss of their second daughter, Ka ua, in November 2025. Family has remained central to Tavai’s life, influencing his football career, personal values, and determination to overcome adversity.
Who Is Jahlani Tavai’s Girlfriend or Fiancée?
Jahlani Tavai’s fiancée is Kalei Mau, a former professional volleyball player who represented the Philippines in international competition.
Originally from Kahaluʻu, Hawaii, Mau has Hawaiian, Filipino, and Chinese family roots. She established a successful volleyball career before turning her attention toward motherhood and other personal interests.
Her collegiate volleyball career began at the University of Minnesota before she transferred to the University of Arizona.
At Arizona, she became one of the university’s leading volleyball players, earning All-Pac-12 recognition and Third-Team All-American honors in 2016.
Following college, Mau played professionally in Puerto Rico, France, the Philippines, and the United States.
She became particularly successful in the Philippines, where she helped F2 Logistics Cargo Movers win major volleyball competitions.
In 2019, she received Most Valuable Player recognition during the Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference.
Her performances also helped establish her reputation as an accomplished Filipino-American volleyball athlete.
Beyond volleyball, Mau has explored music, business, and activities connected to her Hawaiian heritage.
During an April 2025 interview with Coco Moon Hawaii, she discussed how becoming a mother had changed her priorities and encouraged her to appreciate family life.
Jahlani Tavai and Kalei Mau’s Relationship
Jahlani Tavai and Kalei Mau have maintained a relationship while pursuing demanding professional sporting careers.
The New England Patriots publicly identified Mau as Tavai’s girlfriend in a December 2023 feature about his efforts to assist communities affected by the Maui wildfires.
At the time, Mau was in Hawaii, where members of her family had been affected by the disaster.
Tavai organized assistance for people affected by the wildfires, including donations of clothing and essential supplies.
The couple subsequently became parents when they welcomed their first daughter, Honua, in November 2024.
In February 2026, ABC Pacific identified Kalei as Tavai’s fiancée in a report about Pacific Islander players participating in Super Bowl LX.
Although some publications have referred to Kalei as his wife, a wedding date has not been reliably established through the sources reviewed.
As of now, Kalei Mau is publicly identified as Jahlani Tavai’s fiancée and the mother of his children.
Jahlani Tavai’s Children: Meet His Daughters Honua and Ka ua
Jahlani Tavai and Kalei Mau have welcomed two daughters: Honua and Ka ua.
Honua was born in November 2024. Their second daughter, Ka ua, died following serious pregnancy complications in November 2025.
The couple has publicly discussed both daughters and the importance of their family during challenging personal circumstances.
Honua Tavai
Honua is the eldest daughter of Jahlani Tavai and Kalei Mau.
She was born in November 2024, according to reporting published by The Boston Globe and Us Weekly.
Her arrival marked an important new chapter for the couple, who had both spent years developing professional sporting careers.
In April 2025, Mau discussed her experiences as a first-time mother during an interview with Coco Moon Hawaii.
She explained how becoming a parent had influenced her perspective on life, particularly the importance of family, gratitude, and maintaining a connection with Hawaiian culture.
Honua has also accompanied her parents during significant sporting events.
In February 2026, Tavai discussed how meaningful it was to have his daughter experience Super Bowl LX while he was playing for the New England Patriots.
He expressed his hope that Honua would eventually look back on the experience and appreciate having been part of such an important moment in her father’s football career.
Despite his demanding NFL schedule, Tavai has repeatedly emphasized the importance of being present for his daughter and providing a supportive family environment.
Ka ua Tavai
Ka ua is Jahlani Tavai and Kalei Mau’s second daughter, who tragically died in November 2025 following complications during pregnancy.
The couple had been expecting to welcome her in March 2026.
However, on November 20, 2025, Mau developed a severe and rare blood infection that resulted in her hospitalization and a medically induced coma.
During the medical emergency, the pregnancy was affected, and their daughter died before delivery.
Mau publicly shared the family’s loss in December 2025, explaining that the baby had been named Ka ua, meaning “the rain” in Hawaiian.
The name carries special meaning for the family, reflecting their connection to Hawaiian culture and the symbolism of rain as a source of growth and renewal.
Fortunately, Mau survived the serious medical emergency and later returned home to continue her recovery.
The New England Patriots organization and Tavai’s teammates provided support during the family’s difficult experience.
In January 2026, Tavai was selected as the Patriots’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, recognizing his determination and perseverance through significant adversity.
He publicly expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and others who supported him.
Jahlani Tavai’s Parents: Meet William and Nafanua Tavai
Jahlani Tavai’s parents are William Tavai and Nafanua Schuster-Tavai. Their identities are confirmed in his official University of Hawaii football biography and a February 2026 ABC Pacific feature.
Both parents have backgrounds in competitive football, creating an athletic family environment in which most of their children eventually participated in organized sports.
The couple raised seven children in California while maintaining strong connections to their Samoan and Pacific Islander heritage.
Jahlani Tavai’s Father: William Tavai
William Tavai is the father of NFL linebacker Jahlani Tavai and his six siblings.
He has a background in American football, having participated in the sport as a defensive lineman.
His experience helped introduce his children to competitive athletics from an early age.
According to a 2023 New England Patriots feature, the Tavai household was strongly influenced by football, with several brothers eventually playing at major college programs.
William and his wife encouraged their children to develop discipline, teamwork, and a competitive attitude.
Those values contributed to the remarkable number of Tavai family members who eventually pursued high-level football careers.
During interviews ahead of Super Bowl LX in February 2026, Jahlani publicly recognized the sacrifices his parents made while raising their children.
He explained that the opportunities enjoyed by the Tavai siblings were closely connected to their parents’ dedication and hard work.
Although William has generally remained outside national sports media coverage, his influence is reflected in the athletic achievements of his children.
Jahlani Tavai’s Mother: Nafanua Schuster-Tavai
Nafanua Schuster-Tavai is Jahlani Tavai’s mother and a former professional women’s American football player.
Her name also appears as Nafuana Tavai in some older college football records, although ABC Pacific identifies her as Nafanua Schuster-Tavai.
She played defensive line and competed professionally for the San Diego Surge and Pacific Warriors in the Women’s Football Alliance.
Her participation in professional football makes the Tavai family especially unusual, as both parents have backgrounds in the sport.
Nafanua raised six sons and one daughter while supporting their different athletic ambitions.
Several of her children followed football pathways, while her daughter Serena developed an interest in rugby.
Her athletic experience provided the family with firsthand knowledge of the physical demands, preparation, and perseverance required in competitive sports.
During the build-up to Super Bowl LX, Jahlani credited both parents with creating the foundation for his achievements.
He explained that he and his siblings regarded their sporting accomplishments as a reflection of the sacrifices their parents had made.
Nafanua’s own achievements remain an important part of the family’s athletic legacy.
Jahlani Tavai’s Siblings: Meet His Five Brothers and Sister
Jahlani Tavai has six siblings: five brothers and one sister.
His brothers are Jordan, J.R., Justus, Jonah, and Jagger Tavai, while his sister is Serena Tavai.
The family’s athletic achievements have been documented by the New England Patriots, University of Hawaii, and ABC Pacific.
Jordan Tavai
Jordan Tavai is Jahlani’s eldest brother and a former college football defensive lineman.
He attended the University of Kansas, where he played for the Kansas Jayhawks football program.
Jordan’s participation in NCAA Division I football helped establish an athletic example that his younger brothers later followed.
His football background is documented in the University of Hawaii’s official biography of Jahlani and a 2023 New England Patriots family feature.
J.R. Tavai
J.R. Tavai is another of Jahlani’s older brothers and a former NFL defensive player.
He attended the University of Southern California, where he competed for the USC Trojans football team.
After his college career, J.R. joined the Tennessee Titans, spending time with the organization during the 2015 NFL season.
He subsequently continued his professional football career in Canada and Europe.
His experience reaching the NFL provided Jahlani with a direct example of the dedication required to become a professional football player.
Justus Tavai
Justus Tavai is Jahlani’s younger brother and a former collegiate football defensive lineman.
Born on June 26, 1998, he attended Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California.
He began his college football career at El Camino College before transferring to the University of Hawaii.
After competing for Hawaii, Justus transferred to San Diego State University for the 2022 season.
In 2023, he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent, briefly joining the same organization as his older brother.
He later pursued a professional career in rugby, another sport with strong family connections.
ABC Pacific reported in February 2026 that Justus was competing in Major League Rugby in the United States.
Jonah Tavai
Jonah Tavai is another of Jahlani’s younger brothers.
Born on December 13, 2000, he developed into a talented defensive lineman at Mira Costa High School.
He later played college football at El Camino College and San Diego State University.
During the 2022 season, Jonah recorded 10.5 sacks and earned recognition for his defensive performances.
Following the 2023 NFL Draft, he received an opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks.
He subsequently continued pursuing professional football opportunities, including time with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.
In an April 2023 interview with the New England Patriots, Jahlani expressed excitement about Jonah and Justus entering the NFL Draft together.
He explained that he hoped one day to compete alongside or against one of his younger brothers at the professional level.
Jagger Tavai
Jagger Tavai is the youngest of the Tavai brothers.
His identity is documented in biographical information about Jonah Tavai and subsequent coverage of Jahlani’s family.
Unlike several of his older brothers, Jagger had not established a widely documented major professional football career in the sources reviewed.
During a February 2026 interview, Jahlani discussed the family’s continued interest in seeing Jagger find his own sporting opportunity.
Although his brothers have attracted considerable national attention, Jagger’s current activities and personal life are not extensively documented.
Serena Tavai
Serena Tavai is Jahlani Tavai’s younger sister and the only daughter among William and Nafanua Tavai’s seven children.
Like her brothers and parents, Serena has participated in competitive sports.
According to ABC Pacific, she plays collegiate rugby as a prop.
Her involvement in rugby demonstrates that the Tavai family’s sporting interests extend beyond American football.
Although Serena’s athletic background has received some media coverage, detailed information about her education and personal life remains relatively private.
Jahlani Tavai’s Samoan Heritage and Extended Family
Jahlani Tavai was born in Inglewood, California, but his family has strong Samoan and wider Pacific Islander roots.
His upbringing involved a large household where family responsibilities, community connections, and competitive sports were important.
According to ABC Pacific, the Tavai family is also connected to several well-known rugby players in Australia and New Zealand.
His uncle John Schuster played international rugby union for New Zealand and later competed professionally in rugby league.
The extended family also includes rugby league players Peter and Josh Schuster, who have been associated with the Manly Sea Eagles in Australia.
These connections highlight a family sporting tradition spanning American football, rugby union, and rugby league.
How Jahlani Tavai’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Growing up with five brothers and a sister meant that competition was a regular part of Jahlani’s childhood.
In interviews before Super Bowl LX, Tavai described how the siblings frequently competed against one another, whether playing sports or participating in everyday family activities.
His parents’ sporting backgrounds also influenced the family’s expectations about hard work and physical preparation.
Jahlani attended Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California, where he participated in football, rugby, volleyball, and track and field.
As a football player, he competed as a defensive lineman and tight end.
He also achieved success in rugby, earning selection to the United States under-18 national rugby team.
After graduating from high school in 2014, he enrolled at the University of Hawaii.
There, he developed into one of the program’s leading linebackers, eventually recording 391 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks in his college career.
His performances earned All-Mountain West Conference recognition and attracted interest from NFL scouts.
Jahlani Tavai’s NFL Career and Family Support
Jahlani Tavai entered the NFL when the Detroit Lions selected him with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
He spent two seasons in Detroit before being released in August 2021.
He subsequently joined the New England Patriots, initially working to secure a place on their roster.
Over the following seasons, he developed into an important defensive contributor and special teams player.
In 2024, Tavai recorded more than 100 tackles and earned a three-year contract extension with New England.
He also contributed to the Patriots’ journey to Super Bowl LX following the 2025 season.
His personal life during that period included significant challenges, making support from his family and teammates especially important.
On August 6, 2026, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they had signed Tavai, adding an experienced linebacker to their defensive roster.
His move to Jacksonville began another chapter in an NFL career shaped by determination, resilience, and strong family connections.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jahlani Tavai’s Family
Who are Jahlani Tavai’s parents?
Jahlani Tavai’s parents are William Tavai and Nafanua Schuster-Tavai. Both have backgrounds in American football, and his mother played professionally in the Women’s Football Alliance.
Who is Jahlani Tavai’s girlfriend?
Jahlani Tavai’s longtime partner and publicly identified fiancée is Kalei Mau, a former professional volleyball player who represented the Philippines in international competition.
Is Jahlani Tavai married?
Some media outlets have referred to Kalei Mau as his wife, while ABC Pacific identified her as his fiancée in February 2026. A wedding date has not been independently verified in the sources reviewed.
How many children does Jahlani Tavai have?
Jahlani Tavai and Kalei Mau have welcomed two daughters. Their eldest daughter, Honua, was born in November 2024. Their second daughter, Ka ua, died following pregnancy complications in November 2025.
Who is Jahlani Tavai’s daughter?
His living daughter is named Honua Tavai. She was born in November 2024 and has accompanied her parents during important family and football events.
How many siblings does Jahlani Tavai have?
Jahlani Tavai has six siblings: five brothers named Jordan, J.R., Justus, Jonah, and Jagger, and one sister named Serena.
Which of Jahlani Tavai’s brothers played in the NFL?
His brother J.R. Tavai spent time with the Tennessee Titans in 2015, while Justus Tavai briefly joined the New England Patriots in 2023. Jonah also received an NFL opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks.
Who is Jahlani Tavai’s sister?
His sister is Serena Tavai, a collegiate rugby player who has competed as a prop.
Where is Jahlani Tavai’s family from?
Jahlani Tavai was born in Inglewood, California, and grew up in a Samoan-American family with strong connections to Pacific Islander culture and competitive sports.
What is Jahlani Tavai’s full name?
His full name is Jahlani Karl Tavai. He was born on September 28, 1996.
What NFL team does Jahlani Tavai play for?
Jahlani Tavai plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who signed him on August 6, 2026. He previously played for the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
