Donald De La Haye Biography: Football Team, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, YouTube, Awards

Donald De La Haye, widely recognized by his online alias “Deestroying,” is a well-known YouTuber and footballer.

Initially gaining attention as a placekicker for the University of Central Florida (UCF) football team, his trajectory shifted dramatically in 2017 when he faced a pivotal decision: continue his collegiate football career or pursue his burgeoning YouTube channel.

Profile

• Full name: Donald De La Haye Jr.
• Nickname: Deestroying
• Date of birth: December 2, 1996
• Age: 29 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Limón, Costa Rica
• Nationality: Costa Rican-American
• Profession: YouTuber, Professional Football Player
• Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters)
• Parents: Donald De La Haye Sr. and Sheron De La Haye
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single; previously dated Kiana Wudte
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Afro-Costa Rican-American
• Net worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Donald De La Haye Jr., now 29 years old, was born on December 2, 1996, in Limón, Costa Rica, to parents Donald De La Haye Sr. and Sheron De La Haye. Details regarding his siblings are not publicly available. Destroying spent his formative years in the United States, where he was introduced to American football.

He attended the University of Central Florida (UCF), enrolling in 2015. At UCF, he played as a placekicker for the university’s football team. However, his collegiate athletic career was cut short in 2017 due to NCAA regulations concerning student-athletes profiting from their likeness, leading him to focus on his YouTube channel.

Personal Life

Information regarding De La Haye’s relationships, including marital status, spouse, or children, is not publicly disclosed. He was previously in a relationship with Kiana Wudte. As such, further details about his personal life remain private.

Career

De La Haye’s career began as a collegiate football player at UCF, where he played as a placekicker. In 2017, he faced a significant decision when the NCAA informed him that he could not monetize his YouTube channel while maintaining his status as a student-athlete.

Choosing to continue creating digital content, he left the football program and focused on building his YouTube presence. His channel, “Deestroying,” features a variety of football-related content, including skits, challenges, and collaborations with professional athletes.

De La Haye’s unique approach to content creation has garnered a substantial following, leading to opportunities beyond YouTube. In 2019, he had a brief stint with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. In 2024, he signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League, marking his return to professional football.

Awards

• Streamy Award in the Sports category (2021)

Net Worth

De La Haye’s net worth is estimated at $1 million. This wealth has been accumulated through his successful YouTube channel, brand partnerships, and ventures into professional football.

Controversy

In 2017, Deestroying became the center of a significant controversy involving the NCAA’s regulations on student-athletes profiting from their likeness. While playing as a placekicker for UCF, he operated a monetized YouTube channel featuring football-related content.

The NCAA informed him that he could not continue to profit from his channel while maintaining his status as a student-athlete. Faced with the decision to either demonetize his channel or leave the football program, Deestroying chose the latter, sparking widespread debate about athlete rights and the NCAA’s policies.

His decision led to a lawsuit against UCF, which was settled in 2018, allowing him to complete his education. The incident highlighted student-athletes challenges regarding personal branding and income generation, contributing to ongoing discussions and eventual reforms in NCAA policies.

In 2024, Deestroying faced another significant event when he suffered a neck fracture during a United Football League game while playing for the San Antonio Brahmas. The injury occurred during a sideline tackle, resulting in his placement on injured reserve.

Social Media

• Instagram: @deestroying
• X: @Deestroying
• YouTube: Deestroying

Filmography

• Out Deh: The Youth of Jamaica (2020) – Second Unit or Assistant Director