Daequan had a pretty tough life growing up. After falling ill at age 6 and losing his hearing, Daequan’s mother died when he was around 14, and he spent the rest of his childhood bouncing around the homes of different friends. Prior to attending Gallaudet University, Daequan attended Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, VA. where he played defense for their football team.

It was Daequan’s background as a deaf athlete that allowed him to be recruited to play for Gallaudet University’s football team, the Bisons. He fell in love with the university during his first visit and felt accepted by the deaf community there, even though he couldn’t sign at the time. His lack of signing abilities also caused some friction with teammates on the field, but they soon found their chemistry. 

“We just became close," Daequan said about his teammates. "Became brothers. Like, we was brothers on the football team, but like now, us three just different. We could understand each other without like, not sayin' nothin’."

Deaf U premieres on Netflix Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.