Meet Tommy DeVito, the Gen Z star rocking the NFL: dubbed the ‘Rocky Balboa’ of the sport, the New York Giants quarterback is reigniting Italian-American pride – but is he related to Danny DeVito?
- The NFL star’s cult following is so strong that he even has a chicken parm alla vodka named after him at Natoli’s Italian Deli in Secaucus, New Jersey, outside the MetLife Stadium
- The record-breaking athlete is on a three-year, US$2.7 million contract with the team, is known for his signature hand gesture, and his agent Sean Stellato calls him ‘Passing Paisano’
He plays quarterback for the New York Giants, and the MetLife Stadium is practically in his backyard – to be precise, a 12-minute drive from his childhood home where he still lives.
DeVito grew up in New Jersey surrounded by a strong Italian-American community. He was signed as a rookie free agent by the Giants and after some stars on the team were injured, DeVito seized the opportunity to show off his skills. He broke record after record, impressing fans and contributing to his rise in popularity.
Then there’s his infamous signature hand gesture, an ode to his heritage, and the fact that his mum cooks for him every night.
Meet Tommy DeVito, the quarterback who has reignited Italian-American pride in the US.
The Danny DeVito connection
First things first: Tommy and the legendary actor may share the same surname, but that’s where their connection stops.
His record-breaking career
