Donald De La Haye Bio
Donald De La Haye (born December 2, 1996), known online as Deestroying, is a Costa Rican-American YouTuber and professional American football kicker. He is widely recognized for combining athletic skill with online entertainment, producing videos that showcase his kicking ability, sports skits, and personal vlogs. De La Haye first drew public attention while playing college football at the University of Central Florida (UCF), when the NCAA’s decision to ban him for profiting from his YouTube channel sparked national debate about student-athlete compensation. Beyond football, he has built a multi-platform brand that has influenced both sports and digital media culture.
Early Life and Background
Donald De La Haye was born on December 2, 1996, in Limón, Costa Rica. He moved with his family to the United States at the age of seven, settling in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he spent the rest of his youth. Growing up in Florida, he developed a passion for American football and began pursuing kicking seriously during his high school years at Port St. Lucie High School. His multicultural upbringing between Costa Rica and the United States shaped his identity and later influenced the personal brand he built as a creator.
During his teenage years, De La Haye launched the Deestroying YouTube channel in 2015, where he posted trick-shot videos, football skits, and lifestyle content. The channel quickly gained traction because of his personality and athletic talent. He balanced his growing online presence with his commitment to football, eventually earning an opportunity to play at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
De La Haye joined the University of Central Florida in 2015, where he majored in marketing and played on the football team as a kickoff specialist and holder through 2016. He also served as a backup placekicker behind Matthew Wright and saw limited action at wide receiver. His versatility on special teams helped him stand out on a competitive roster.
While at UCF, De La Haye continued uploading videos to his Deestroying channel, building a sizable audience. In 2017, the NCAA informed him that he could no longer profit from his name, image, or likeness through YouTube if he wished to remain eligible. Faced with the choice, he kept his channel and forfeited his scholarship and NCAA eligibility. He later sued UCF over the matter in July 2018, and the two sides reached a settlement in November 2018 that allowed him to complete his education. His case contributed to the broader movement that led to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) reform for college athletes.
Donald De La Haye Career
YouTube and Content Creation (2015–Present)
After leaving the UCF football roster, De La Haye devoted more time to his YouTube channel, expanding it from a hobby into a full-time career. The Deestroying channel grew to surpass 5.8 million subscribers, up from roughly 94,000 when he left UCF. His content includes kicker trick shots, comedic skits impersonating NFL stars such as Odell Beckham Jr., Tom Brady, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, and collaborations with athletes like Cam Newton, Antonio Brown, and Tyreek Hill.
He has also partnered with the NFL and other sports organizations, appeared at major events, and competed in Logan Paul’s “Challenger Games” in July 2019. In April 2022, De La Haye signed with FaZe Clan and even participated in a flag football game during the 2022 Pro Bowl. Outside of YouTube, he co-owned the FCF Glacier Boyz of Fan Controlled Football alongside Quavo, Richard Sherman, and Adin Ross.
Toronto Argonauts (2019)
On May 19, 2019, De La Haye signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, fulfilling a longtime goal he had promoted through his videos. His signing generated more than 15,000 new followers for the Argonauts’ official Instagram account. He appeared in two preseason games, successfully making a 16-yard field goal attempt and recording a 46-yard punt before being assigned to the practice roster.
Because of the CFL’s limits on the number of American players allowed on the active roster, the Argonauts placed De La Haye on the Suspended list. The move allowed him to continue producing YouTube content, which, by his own account, produced more income than remaining on the practice squad. In 2021, he was invited to work out at the NFL Scouting Combine and won the Kohl’s Pro Combine kickoff competition, further establishing his credibility as a professional kicking prospect.
San Antonio Brahmas (2024–2025)
On January 30, 2024, De La Haye signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League, replacing John Parker Romo. He competed with Matt Ammendola for the starting kicker role and was named the starter on March 10, 2024, after Ammendola’s release. De La Haye led the UFL in kickoff yardage in his opening week and served primarily as a kickoff specialist early in the season.
On April 8, 2024, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering multiple neck fractures while making a tackle on a kickoff return. He re-signed with the Brahmas on October 29, 2024, declaring that his story was far from over. In the 2025 season opener against the Arlington Renegades, he drilled a 39-yard field goal for San Antonio’s first points of the year. During Week 3 against the Michigan Panthers, he went 3-for-4 on field goals, including a career-long 55-yarder, but a missed 53-yard attempt in the fourth quarter prevented overtime. He was later ruled out for several weeks with a groin injury. He was released on October 3, 2025, when the San Antonio Brahmas folded.
Driving Style and Strengths
De La Haye’s strengths as a kicker include a powerful leg capable of long-distance field goals, consistent kickoff distance, and the athleticism to make tackles in open space. He has demonstrated the leg strength to connect from beyond 50 yards, highlighted by his 55-yard make in 2025. His background in marketing and content creation has also made him an effective brand ambassador for the teams and leagues he has represented.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most notable milestones include his NCAA eligibility dispute that helped fuel NIL reform, his 2019 signing with the Toronto Argonauts, his 2021 Kohl’s Pro Combine kickoff title, and his 55-yard career-long field goal for the San Antonio Brahmas in 2025. His release from the Brahmas after the team folded marked a turning point in his professional career.
Donald De La Haye Career Wins
De La Haye’s verified career highlights include a preseason field goal with the Toronto Argonauts in 2019, victory in the 2021 Kohl’s Pro Combine kickoff competition, and multiple successful field goals for the San Antonio Brahmas across the 2024 and 2025 UFL seasons. His career-long 55-yard field goal stands as a defining athletic achievement.
United Football League Highlights
With the Brahmas, De La Haye connected on 5 of 7 field goal attempts (71.4 percent) and scored 15 points through Week 3 of the 2025 season. His first successful field goal of the 2025 season came from 39 yards against the Arlington Renegades, and he added a 55-yard career long one week later against the Michigan Panthers.
Other Performances
Beyond league play, De La Haye won the 2021 Kohl’s Pro Combine kickoff competition and recorded a successful preseason field goal during his time with the Toronto Argonauts. He also participated in a flag football exhibition with FaZe Clan at the 2022 Pro Bowl.
Donald De La Haye Family
Family Background and Lineage
Donald De La Haye was born and raised in Costa Rica before relocating to the United States as a child. He comes from a Costa Rican-American household, and his family supported his move to Florida, where he built his athletic and creative career.
Personal Life
De La Haye has largely kept his personal relationships private. His public identity remains closely tied to his online persona, Deestroying, which he uses to document his journey as a kicker and content creator.
2025 Season Performance
De La Haye’s 2025 season with the San Antonio Brahmas began strongly, as he opened the year with a 39-yard field goal against the Arlington Renegades. He followed that with a 3-for-4 performance in Week 3 against the Michigan Panthers, highlighted by a career-long 55-yard make. However, a missed 53-yard attempt in the fourth quarter and a subsequent groin injury kept him out of action for several weeks.
His release on October 3, 2025, following the Brahmas’ folding, ended his tenure with the team. As of late 2025, De La Haye remains a free agent whose professional options in American football are uncertain, though he continues to be an influential figure in sports media and NIL advocacy.