Donald De La Haye Jr., also known as Deestroying, has had an incredible journey from making YouTube videos to partnering with the NFL. Before earning a football scholarship at the University of Central Florida, De La Haye had already started gaining traction and generating income from his videos. However, NCAA officials gave him an ultimatum – delete his channel and donate the money back or forfeit his eligibility. He chose to continue making videos and gave up his college football career.
Today, Deestroying’s YouTube channel has 5.3 million subscribers and a growing relationship with the NFL. The league is embracing the platform’s young and passionate audience, especially with the recent addition of Sunday Ticket on YouTube. De La Haye saw more potential in YouTube than in his future as a player, and it brought him more happiness, passion, and love.
Deestroying’s international tour for his franchise, 1ON1, has been a huge success. The series features backyard-style competitions between a wide receiver and a defensive back, with an off-camera quarterback throwing the passes. These events have a high-spirited energy and draw thousands of fans, reminiscent of basketball’s And1.
The NFL is now giving creators like De La Haye the opportunity to build content and provide fans with unprecedented access. This digital milestone represents a significant shift for the league, which was once known as the No Fun League. De La Haye is excited about the access and exclusive content that will be available, thanks to the partnership with the NFL.
The new YouTube presence is making up for lost time, as the NBA and other leagues have already embraced social media. Football players now have the chance to develop their personalities online and bring more excitement to the game. Fans can connect with players on a personal level and enjoy their dances, celebrations, and mic-ed up videos on YouTube.
De La Haye finds inspiration in the success of shows like “Quarterback,” which gives him ideas for his own content. His journey has led him to incredible opportunities, such as being in the spotlight at Brandcast. Despite his nerves, the experience was exhilarating, and he received praise from people in the industry.
Overall, De La Haye’s story is a testament to the power of YouTube and the changing landscape for college athletes. He made a difficult choice but ultimately found success and fulfillment in pursuing his passion on the platform.
