In a recent ESPN interview, United Football League kicker and YouTube sensation Donald De La Haye, also known as “Deestroying,” discussed his anticipated return to the UFL for the 2025 season following a severe neck injury. The interview covered his recovery process, his friendship with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, and his successful YouTube career. The interview coincided with the UFL’s announcement of their 2025 schedule, which kicks off on March 28th.
Season Opener and Return from Injury
De La Haye expressed excitement about returning to play in the Texas showdown between San Antonio and Arlington:
“Obviously, just getting back to it, last year ended abruptly for me in the second game, I unfortunately hurt my neck, fractured my vertebrate, and I was out the rest of the season. Looking forward to that comeback. Looking forward to play with a whole lot of great talent.”
This candid admission sets the stage for what could be one of the most compelling comeback stories in the UFL’s 2025 season.
The Injury Incident
De La Haye provided a detailed account of the play that led to his neck injury:
“Man, on a kick-off, usually, kickers don’t be about that action. But on a kickoff, me and the kicker returner had a little bit of animosity pregame. It’s best solved on the field. Kicked it off. It wasn’t my best kick. Supposed to go deep left was in the middle the field. I thought, I’m going to go make a play. I saw him going off to the left side. I saw my alley. I shot. I went to tackle, and it turns out I had my head down. And instantly, my whole arm went numb. My toes started tingling, ran into the sideline, and I knew something was wrong right away.”
De La Haye never got a chance to attempt a field goal for the season. Deestroying kicking his first field goal will be big news to see in the 2025 season. There will be fans rooting for him and against him.
Recovery Journey
Speaking about his rehabilitation process, De La Haye shared:
“I was in the neck brace for about three months. I probably should have been in it a little bit longer, but I heal quickly. Thank God. Other than that, just been resting, working out, being around friends, family, just taking a moment to realize what happened because it could have went a lot worse. I could have been paralyzed, but Gratefully, I’m not.”
There was times during the off season he sounded like he would not return. As the season got closer and he was feeling better, the itch to try one more time came back.
Personal Growth Through Adversity
De La Haye reflected on what the injury taught him about himself:
“I learned that I really love the game. I love that I learned that I’m resilient. Obviously, this is a major, major setback, and a lot of people would have just called it quits. I’ve been having a great YouTube career for the last eight years. So part of me was like, Man, do you really need to do this? But deep down, it’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to make it pro.”
This introspective response reveals the internal struggle many athletes face when balancing career opportunities with their passion for the game.
Future Content and Fan Engagement
De La Haye announced upcoming content projects:
“Maybe. I got my project NFL Season 2 coming this, this NFL season. So make sure you all tune in to that. I got a podcast going with my teammate, Brad Wing, Kicking It with D. You all, check it out.”
This announcement gives fans multiple ways to follow De La Haye’s journey both on and off the field.
The interview provided insights into De La Haye’s challenging journey back to professional football following his neck injury. He was supposed to appear on ESPN on January 2nd, which was pulled at the last minute. With AJ McCarron most likely retiring, Deestroying is the biggest name in the UFL right now. His success on the field will only help the UFL.
The UFL’s 2025 season, starting March 28th, will mark his return to competitive football, with the season opener featuring his team in a Texas showdown.
Fans can watch the full interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter, and follow De La Haye’s journey through his YouTube channel and his podcast “Kicking It with D” with teammate Brad Wing. The UFL’s 2025 season will broadcast 22 games across ESPN networks, including the Championship game on ABC on June 14th.
