Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Malik Hooker is an American professional football player who plays safety for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 2, 1996, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Hooker has built a successful football career while maintaining strong connections with his family.
Beyond his achievements on the football field, fans are increasingly interested in Malik Hooker’s family, including his wife, children, parents and siblings.
The Cowboys defensive back is married to Dayonna Dixon Hooker, a licensed esthetician. The couple celebrated their wedding in February 2024 and have a daughter together.
Hooker is also the son of Angela Dennis and the late Jermaine Hooker Sr. His family includes several siblings, notably his younger brother Marcus Hooker, who followed him into college football.
Malik Hooker’s Wife: Meet Dayonna Dixon Hooker
Malik Hooker’s wife is Dayonna Dixon Hooker, formerly known as Dayonna Dixon. She is a licensed esthetician who works in skincare and beauty.
The couple met through a mutual friend on Snapchat and developed a relationship that eventually led to marriage.
After several years together, Malik proposed to Dayonna on Thanksgiving Day in November 2022.
According to an interview published by Brides magazine, the proposal happened at home after Hooker returned from a Dallas Cowboys football game.
Dayonna recalled that Malik appeared nervous throughout the evening before finally proposing while she was preparing his food.
The proposal included a humorous moment when Hooker accidentally presented her wedding band rather than her engagement ring. Despite the confusion, Dayonna accepted his proposal.
When Did Malik Hooker Get Married?
Malik Hooker and Dayonna Dixon married on February 18, 2024, at The Joule Hotel in Dallas, Texas.
The wedding was an intimate celebration attended by approximately 88 family members and friends.
Inspired by Valentine’s Day, the ceremony featured pink and white flowers, cherry blossom decorations and elegant contemporary designs.
The couple exchanged personalized wedding vows and incorporated a traditional jumping-the-broom ceremony into their celebration.
Dayonna wore a custom wedding gown designed by Alonuko Bridal, while Malik wore a white suit jacket with pink accents.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the wedding was the couple’s decision to include their daughter as the flower girl.
Malik also wore personalized cufflinks featuring photographs of his late father and his daughter, honoring two important generations of his family.
As of now, Malik and Dayonna Hooker’s marriage remains the most recently confirmed relationship in his publicly documented personal life.
Malik Hooker’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
Yes, Malik Hooker has a daughter with his wife, Dayonna Dixon Hooker.
The couple publicly acknowledged their daughter during their wedding celebration in February 2024.
According to Brides magazine, their daughter participated in the ceremony wearing a pearl-embellished dress as the flower girl.
Dayonna later discussed the wedding during an interview with Nashville Bride Guide, explaining that their daughter was approximately three years old at the time of the ceremony.
The child walked down the aisle accompanied by Malik’s best man, creating a memorable family moment.
What Is Malik Hooker’s Daughter’s Name?
As of now, Malik Hooker and Dayonna Dixon Hooker have not had their daughter’s full name consistently identified in reliable mainstream publications.
Although their daughter has appeared in published coverage of their wedding, information about her exact birth date and other personal details remains limited.
There are also no reliable public reports confirming additional children. Therefore, one daughter is the publicly documented information about Malik Hooker’s children.
Malik Hooker’s Parents: Meet Angela Dennis and Jermaine Hooker
Malik Hooker was born to Angela Dennis and Jermaine Hooker Sr. in Pennsylvania.
His upbringing in New Castle played an important role in shaping his athletic ambitions and personal character.
While his mother became particularly influential during his college football career, his father was also part of his family history.
Malik Hooker’s Mother: Angela Dennis
Angela Dennis is Malik Hooker’s mother and one of the most important figures in his football journey.
She helped raise Malik in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and supported his early involvement in sports.
During his childhood, Malik was particularly passionate about basketball. However, his athletic ability eventually attracted attention from college football recruiters.
Angela became especially influential when Malik enrolled at Ohio State University.
During his early college years, Hooker struggled with homesickness and considered leaving the football program several times.
According to a 2016 Bleacher Report feature, Angela encouraged her son to remain at Ohio State and continue working toward his ambitions.
Rather than allowing him to abandon the opportunity, she pushed him to develop patience and perseverance.
Her encouragement eventually paid off when Malik emerged as one of the country’s outstanding college defensive backs during the 2016 season.
Hooker became a unanimous All-American and entered the 2017 NFL Draft, where the Indianapolis Colts selected him in the first round.
His mother’s determination and guidance remain important parts of the story behind his professional success.
Malik Hooker’s Father: Jermaine Hooker Sr.
Malik Hooker’s father was Jermaine Kareem Hooker Sr., who was born on November 14, 1973, in Queens, New York.
Jermaine worked in several occupations during his lifetime and was known among relatives and friends for his interest in music and art.
He was also a football enthusiast who supported the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.
According to his obituary, Jermaine Hooker Sr. passed away on February 10, 2022, in Chandler, Arizona, following a battle with cancer. He was 48 years old.
His obituary listed Malik among his children and highlighted his strong connection to his extended family.
Malik honored his father’s memory during his wedding in February 2024 by wearing customized cufflinks containing a photograph of them together.
This tribute demonstrated that his late father remained an important part of his family’s major milestones.
Malik Hooker’s Siblings: Brothers and Sisters
Malik Hooker comes from a large family with several siblings.
His publicly documented siblings include Marcus Hooker, Marquel Hooker and Jazelle Dennis. His father’s obituary also identifies additional children, meaning that short online biographies listing only two or four siblings do not provide a complete picture of his extended family.
Malik Hooker’s Brother: Marcus Hooker
Marcus Hooker is Malik’s younger brother and a former college football defensive back.
Like Malik, Marcus attended New Castle High School in Pennsylvania, where he excelled in football and basketball.
He later joined Ohio State University, following his older brother into the Buckeyes football program.
Marcus played safety for Ohio State and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition in 2020.
After several seasons with the Buckeyes, he transferred to Youngstown State University, where he continued his college football career.
In 2024, Marcus received an invitation to participate in the Indianapolis Colts’ rookie minicamp.
The opportunity was particularly notable because Indianapolis was the same franchise that selected Malik in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Both brothers developed their defensive football skills in similar environments, sharing experiences at New Castle High School and Ohio State.
Malik Hooker’s Sister: Jazelle Dennis
Jazelle Dennis is Malik Hooker’s older sister.
She was mentioned in a 2016 Bleacher Report profile examining Malik’s upbringing and journey to Ohio State.
According to the report, Malik played basketball with Jazelle from a very young age, helping him develop his enthusiasm for sports.
She was also part of the family support system that helped him navigate the challenges of being away from home during his early college years.
When Malik struggled with homesickness at Ohio State, he sometimes arranged transportation back to New Castle with help from his older sister.
Further information about Jazelle’s professional career and private life is not extensively documented in major sports publications.
Malik Hooker’s Brother: Marquel Hooker
Marquel Hooker is another member of Malik Hooker’s family.
His name appears in the obituary of their father, Jermaine Hooker Sr., alongside Malik and Marcus Hooker.
Unlike Malik and Marcus, Marquel has not received extensive coverage in major football publications.
Consequently, detailed information about his career and personal life remains limited.
Malik Hooker’s Other Siblings
Malik’s father’s 2022 obituary identifies other children in the extended Hooker family, including Jermaine Hooker Jr., Marquis Harris, Alexander Turner, Dominic Phillips, Jermea Hooker and Jaiden Hooker.
Some online family profiles also identify Delvonna Dennis as Malik’s sister, although detailed independent reporting about her is limited.
The available sources do not establish the exact maternal relationships among all these siblings, so it is important not to assume that everyone named shares both parents.
How Malik Hooker’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Malik Hooker’s journey from New Castle High School to the NFL reflects the importance of family encouragement and personal determination.
Although he initially preferred basketball, his athletic ability helped him earn a football scholarship to Ohio State University.
He experienced significant challenges during his early college years, particularly adjusting to life away from home.
His mother, Angela Dennis, provided the encouragement he needed to persevere.
His siblings also contributed to his upbringing, with Marcus eventually following a similar college football path.
After an outstanding 2016 season, Hooker declared for the NFL Draft and was selected 15th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017.
He spent four seasons with Indianapolis before signing with the Dallas Cowboys in July 2021.
His professional career has included recovering from significant injuries and establishing himself as an experienced defensive player.
Alongside his football achievements, Hooker has built his own family with his wife, Dayonna, and their daughter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Malik Hooker’s Family
Who is Malik Hooker’s wife?
Malik Hooker’s wife is Dayonna Dixon Hooker, a licensed esthetician. They married on February 18, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.
Does Malik Hooker have a girlfriend?
Malik Hooker is married to Dayonna Dixon Hooker. She was previously his girlfriend before the couple became engaged in November 2022.
Does Malik Hooker have children?
Yes. Malik Hooker and his wife have one publicly documented daughter, who participated in their February 2024 wedding as a flower girl.
What is Malik Hooker’s daughter’s name?
His daughter’s name has not been consistently confirmed in reliable mainstream publications.
Who are Malik Hooker’s parents?
His parents are Angela Dennis and the late Jermaine Kareem Hooker Sr.
Is Malik Hooker’s father alive?
No. Jermaine Hooker Sr. passed away on February 10, 2022, at the age of 48.
Does Malik Hooker have a brother?
Yes. His brothers include Marcus Hooker and Marquel Hooker. Marcus is a former college football defensive back who played for Ohio State and Youngstown State.
Does Malik Hooker have a sister?
Yes. His older sister Jazelle Dennis is documented in reporting about his childhood. Other family profiles also mention Delvonna Dennis.
Where is Malik Hooker from?
Malik Hooker was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on April 2, 1996.
What NFL team does Malik Hooker play for?
Malik Hooker plays safety for the Dallas Cowboys. He previously played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2017 to 2020.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
