Did Deestroying ever play football?

By Jason Bolton December 12, 2023 06:05

Photo by Deestroying/Instagram

Donald De La Haye, also known as Deestroying, is a well-known figure who gained fame both as a college football player and as a YouTuber. However, his journey in the world of football took an unexpected turn, leading him to make a choice between his passion for the sport and his burgeoning YouTube career. This article will explore Deestroying's football journey, his decision to pursue YouTube full-time, and his brief stint in professional football.

Deestroying's College Football Career

Deestroying's football journey began at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he played as a college football player. He gained popularity for his exceptional skills on the field, attracting attention from fans and scouts alike. As a talented athlete, Deestroying was able to secure a football scholarship at UCF, further highlighting his potential in the sport.

The NCAA Dilemma

However, Deestroying's football career took an unexpected turn when the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) prohibited him from monetizing his YouTube channel while continuing to play college football. This posed a dilemma for Deestroying, as he had to choose between his scholarship and his growing YouTube channel.

Choosing YouTube over Football

In the face of the NCAA's restrictions, Deestroying made the difficult decision to forego his football scholarship and pursue YouTube full-time. This choice allowed him to continue building his YouTube brand and monetize his content without any restrictions. De La Haye's YouTube channel quickly gained popularity, attracting millions of subscribers who were captivated by his entertaining and engaging content.

Venturing into Professional Football

Despite leaving his college football career behind, Deestroying still harbored dreams of playing in the NFL. He briefly had the opportunity to play for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League, showcasing his skills at a professional level. However, his time with the team was short-lived, as he was eventually placed on the Suspended list to focus on his YouTube career.

Expanding His Horizons

Following his departure from professional football, Deestroying continued to focus on growing his YouTube channel. His content featured NFL celebrities and college football stars, further solidifying his presence in the sports world. Moreover, Deestroying became a partial owner of the FCF Glacier Boyz, an expansion team in the Fan Controlled Football league. This venture allowed him to explore new avenues within the sports industry.

Diversifying into Esports

In addition to his success on YouTube and his involvement in football, Deestroying ventured into the world of esports. He signed with FaZe Clan, a prominent esports organization, expanding his reach to a new audience and showcasing his versatility as a content creator.

Deestroying's journey as a football player may have been cut short due to the NCAA's restrictions, but he didn't let that setback define his entire career. Instead, he chose to pursue his passion for content creation on YouTube, where he has amassed a significant following. Despite leaving football behind, Deestroying briefly played in the Canadian Football League and explored opportunities in the esports industry. Through his resilience and determination, Deestroying has proven that there are numerous paths to success, and sometimes, taking a different route can lead to even greater achievements.