Donald De La Haye, alias “Deestroying,” took to social media to disclose that he sustained a neck fracture while attempting a tackle in the recent match between the San Antonio Brahmas and the Memphis Showboats.

After serving as both a kicker and wide receiver for the UCF Knights, Deestroying had to depart from the program in 2017 due to regulations prohibiting student-athletes from profiting from their outside endeavors while in school.

Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in pursuing his football aspirations. He maintained his physical fitness, consistently showcasing his skills through video clips, and even had a brief stint with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL in 2019.

The UFL marked Deestroying’s inaugural chance to participate in a significant regular season game as a professional player. Unfortunately, the opportunity to play professional football has seemingly vanished once again due to a brutal tackle.

Following the takedown of the 200-pound running back, Deestroying faced significant consequences. The team made the announcement on Sunday that both Deestroying and center Alex Mollette were added to the injured reserve list. Deestroying took to his Instagram Stories on Monday to elaborate on the situation.

Expressing gratitude for the well-wishes, he shared a photo of himself donning a neck brace with the caption, “Appreciate all the kind words.” He disclosed that due to improper tackling technique, he had suffered multiple fractures in his neck during the tackle. Despite the adversity, he maintained a positive outlook, acknowledging that the outcome could have been much worse.

In a message to his followers, he emphasized the importance of proper tackling form, particularly for young athletes. Expressing gratitude to the Brahmas and the UFL for the opportunity, he thanked his supporters for their unwavering backing throughout his journey. Concluding his post, he pledged to prioritize his recovery, signaling his intent to step back from the field temporarily.

The exact timeline for Deestroying’s recovery is currently unknown.

According to James Larsen, players sidelined on the injured reserve in the UFL are mandated to be out for a minimum of five weeks. The aspiration is for his comeback to occur sooner rather than later.