On Friday, the Patriots announced linebacker Jahlani Tavai is this year’s recipient of the Ed Block courage award.

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The Ed Block award is an annual honor bestowed upon a player from each NFL team who “exemplifies the principles of courage and sportsmanship while also serving as a symbol of professionalism and dedication,” according to the team’s web site.

Tavai, the team revealed in a press release, discovered he has a rare autoimmune disease while rehabbing a calf injury during training camp. According to head athletic trainer Jim Whlalen, Tavai required several visits with specialists and an intense regimen of daily and weekly medications that carried various side effects. He missed several weeks, before returning to the team in October.

In late November, Tavai’s then pregnant girlfriend suffered a medical emergency caused by a rare blood infection that left her unresponsive in her bed. In the hospital, she entered a medically induced coma that lasted for six days. During that time, their unborn daughter passed away, which led Tavai to be away from the team for several more days.

In a statement given to the team’s public relations staff, Tavai thanked his teammates for their support during the year.

“The biggest thing for me was being thankful for all the help we have,” Tavai said. “I think I’m more appreciative of the guys in this locker room and the staff for just the help that they’ve given me. So, I’m more grateful for that than I am about the award.”