Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Malcolm Koonce is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). While he is best known for his performances on the football field, his family background has also attracted public attention, particularly the story of his father, Jeffrey Koonce.
Born on June 6, 1998, and raised in Peekskill, New York, Malcolm developed a passion for sports at an early age. His family includes his father, Jeffrey Koonce, and several siblings, including his brother Dejuan Koonce, a former New York State Trooper.
Although Malcolm maintains considerable privacy around his romantic relationships, publicly available reporting provides information about his parents, brothers and upbringing.
Malcolm Koonce’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Malcolm Koonce has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or romantic partner through reliable mainstream reporting.
Unlike some NFL players who frequently share details about their relationships on social media, Koonce has generally maintained a private personal life.
His official Las Vegas Raiders biography and major media interviews primarily discuss his football career, college experiences and professional development rather than his dating history.
There is also no verified public announcement establishing that he is married.
Without confirmation from Koonce or credible reporting, it would be speculative to identify a particular woman as his girlfriend or describe his current relationship status as definitively single.
Malcolm Koonce’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is no reliable public information confirming that Malcolm Koonce has children.
The Raiders defensive end has not publicly identified a son or daughter in his official player biography or widely reported interviews.
Although Koonce has discussed his family and upbringing, those comments have primarily concerned his relatives and his experiences growing up in New York.
Consequently, whether he has children remains a private matter that has not been established through verified public sources.
Malcolm Koonce’s Parents
Malcolm Koonce grew up in a family based in New York. His father, Jeffrey Koonce, has appeared in several news reports, while considerably less information is publicly available about his mother.
Malcolm Koonce’s Father: Jeffrey Koonce
Malcolm Koonce’s father is Jeffrey Koonce, a New York businessman whose personal history attracted national attention in December 2024.
Jeffrey was convicted in 1983 in connection with a 1981 armed robbery in Mount Vernon, New York. He maintained his innocence and spent nearly eight years in prison before being released in 1992.
Decades later, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office reviewed his case and identified serious concerns about the original investigation, particularly the identification procedures used by police.
On December 27, 2024, a New York judge vacated Jeffrey’s convictions and dismissed the indictment.
The ruling came after prosecutors concluded that the original conviction had been undermined by questionable investigative practices and evidence concerning witness identification.
Following his release from prison, Jeffrey established a successful pest-control business and raised six children, including Malcolm.
The case attracted coverage from the Associated Press, ABC7 New York and CBS News.
Jeffrey publicly discussed the emotional consequences of the conviction, explaining that the long-running case had affected his children and family’s reputation.
His experience forms an important part of Malcolm Koonce’s family history, although the NFL player has generally preferred to focus his public appearances on football.
Malcolm Koonce’s Mother: Who Is She?
Malcolm Koonce’s mother’s name has not been reliably established in the major public sources covering his life and football career.
Reporting confirms that Jeffrey Koonce married and raised a family after his release from prison. However, the available sources do not provide sufficient information to identify Malcolm’s mother by name with confidence.
A 2021 Las Vegas Review-Journal report described Jeffrey’s wife and other sons while discussing the family’s plans to attend a Raiders game.
Nevertheless, details about Malcolm’s mother’s personal background, profession and relationship history remain largely outside public reporting.
Rather than attaching an unverified name to his mother, it is more accurate to acknowledge that this information has not been publicly confirmed.
Malcolm Koonce’s Siblings: Meet His Brothers and Sisters
Malcolm Koonce comes from a large family. According to reporting about Jeffrey Koonce, his father raised six children, including the Raiders defensive end.
This indicates that Malcolm grew up as one of six children in the family, although the names and individual relationships of all his siblings have not been fully documented publicly.
One of his confirmed brothers is Dejuan Koonce, whose career in law enforcement received media attention following their father’s court victory.
Dejuan Koonce: Malcolm Koonce’s Brother
Dejuan Koonce is Malcolm Koonce’s brother and a retired New York State Trooper.
During his law enforcement career, Dejuan served on protective details assigned to prominent New York political figures, including Governor Kathy Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Dejuan attracted media attention in December 2024 when he accompanied his father during proceedings concerning Jeffrey Koonce’s decades-old conviction.
In an interview with ABC7 New York, Dejuan explained that his father’s experience initially inspired him to consider becoming a lawyer.
However, he eventually chose law enforcement because he believed he could help improve the system from within.
His comments demonstrated how the family’s legal struggles influenced his professional ambitions and personal outlook.
Malcolm Koonce’s Older Brother and Rugby Background
Malcolm Koonce has also spoken about an older brother who helped introduce him to rugby.
In a September 2023 interview published by the Las Vegas Raiders, Malcolm explained that he began playing rugby during eighth grade after following his older brother’s example.
The sport became an important part of his athletic development and allowed him to develop skills that differed from his responsibilities as a defensive football player.
While football required him to pressure opposing quarterbacks and disrupt offensive plays, rugby gave him opportunities to carry the ball and contribute directly to scoring.
The Raiders’ interview did not identify the older brother by name, so it is unclear whether the reference was to Dejuan or another sibling.
Malcolm Koonce’s Other Siblings
Public reporting indicates that Jeffrey Koonce raised six children, but it has not provided a complete list of their names.
Details about Malcolm’s other siblings, including their ages, educational backgrounds, careers and family relationships, remain limited.
There is insufficient reliable information to independently identify each of his brothers or confirm whether he has sisters.
Malcolm Koonce’s Childhood and Family Background
Malcolm Koonce grew up in Peekskill, New York, a community approximately 35 miles north of New York City.
During his childhood, he became involved in organized sports and began playing football in the fifth grade through the Peekskill Pop Warner Football League.
He later attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, where he developed into a talented defensive football player.
His high school team won a state championship in 2015, helping him establish himself as a promising athlete.
After high school, he spent a postgraduate year at Milford Academy before enrolling at the University at Buffalo.
At Buffalo, Malcolm developed into one of the Mid-American Conference’s leading defensive players.
He earned first-team All-MAC recognition in 2019 and 2020 and was named the Defensive MVP of the 2019 Bahamas Bowl.
His performances attracted NFL attention, and the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 79th overall pick.
His rise from youth football in Peekskill to the NFL remains an important part of his personal story.
Is Malcolm Koonce Related to Former NFL Player George Koonce?
Malcolm Koonce and former NFL linebacker George Koonce share the same surname, but there is no verified family relationship between them.
George Koonce played for the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks during his NFL career and was a member of the Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI.
Despite their shared surname and professional football backgrounds, the two athletes should not be described as father and son or otherwise related without supporting evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Malcolm Koonce’s Family
Who is Malcolm Koonce’s girlfriend?
Malcolm Koonce has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend through reliable reporting. His current relationship status remains unverified.
Is Malcolm Koonce married?
There is no verified public confirmation that Malcolm Koonce is married.
Does Malcolm Koonce have children?
There is no reliable public information establishing that Malcolm Koonce has children.
Who is Malcolm Koonce’s father?
His father is Jeffrey Koonce, a New York businessman whose 1983 criminal conviction was overturned in December 2024.
Who is Malcolm Koonce’s mother?
His mother’s name has not been reliably confirmed in major public reporting.
How many siblings does Malcolm Koonce have?
His father, Jeffrey Koonce, reportedly raised six children, including Malcolm. This means Malcolm was one of six children in the family, although the names of all five other children have not been publicly established.
Who is Malcolm Koonce’s brother Dejuan?
Dejuan Koonce is a retired New York State Trooper who served on protective details for senior New York political officials.
Where did Malcolm Koonce grow up?
Malcolm Koonce grew up in Peekskill, New York, before attending Archbishop Stepinac High School and the University at Buffalo.
Is Malcolm Koonce related to George Koonce?
There is no verified family relationship between Malcolm Koonce and former NFL linebacker George Koonce.
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.
