Giants’ backup Quarterback and New Jersey legend, Tommy DeVito, will start against the Packers this coming weekend despite Giants’ QB Tyrod Taylor ready to return from rib cage injury, according to ESPN’s Jordan Ranaan. The decision to keep Tommy in the starting line was made after he won two of his last three starts.
DeVito was originally picked up by the Giants as an undrafted free agent and invited to camp before the season started—though his chances of ever playing a game with the squad looked rather slim. However, in a game against the Jets on October 29, an injury to Giants’ second string QB, Tyrod Taylor, left Coach Brian Daboll with no choice but to put DeVito—a Cedar Grove, New Jersey native—into the game.
The Giants lost that game, but DeVito quickly caught the attention of both Giants’ fans and fans across the country. Dozens of memes sprouted up on social media, mostly having to do with the fact that DeVito had a blatantly “Jersey-Italian” name, with many posts even pointing out that Tommy DeVito was the name of Joe Pesci’s character in GoodFellas.
By his second start, DeVito was already loved and adored by fans for being a true hometown kid, having grown up only 20 minutes from MetLife Stadium and attending Don Bosco for high school. DeVito reached true NJ legend status when he was asked about still living with his parents: “I don’t have to worry about laundry, what I’m eating for dinner, chicken cutlets and all that is waiting for me when I get there. My mom still makes my bed. Everything is handled for me.”
There are advantages to living at home with your parents, as Giants’ starting QB Tommy DeVito does. pic.twitter.com/S0XpWTfRhV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 11, 2023
This quote went viral.
And since stating his love for chicken cutlets and not making his bed, the young star has won two starts. Proving an objective New Jersey truth: Chicken cutlets = power.
What’s more is that DeVito has introduced a rather “Italian” TD celebration to his arsenal, the iconic, pursed fingers, “how ya doin’?” hand gesture, which has already been picked up by his Giants’ teammates.
The official Tommy DeVito emoji: 🤌 pic.twitter.com/2l9CUb2KxA
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 28, 2023
Monday night’s matchup against the Packers (6-6) lines up perfectly with Tyrod Taylor’s return, leaving Daboll with a tough decision: Stick with the hometown kid, or go with the more seasoned QB? Well, the decision might not even be that tough. DeVito has more touchdowns than any Giants QB this season. He’s a hometown kid—which sells tickets—plus, he’s been getting better with every start.
When asked about the decision, Daboll stated “I just thought Tommy earned it. Went back, watched all the tape, thought he played two good games… Thought he earned the right to play.”
Devito was happy about the decision, albeit, not surprised “I wasn’t surprised. At the same time, I didn’t know what was going to happen,” DeVito said. “I was told during the bye week there was a decision that was going to be made. And as soon as there was a decision, I would be made aware. And I was. I’m happy about it, but at the same time it’s a job.”
DeVito is here to stay… for one more week at least. For us New Jerseyans, it has been a thrill to watch a hometown kid rise to stardom.
Bonus: Our Favorite Tommy DeVito Memes
“HE BEAT THE COMMANDERS & PATRIOTS IS WHAT HE DID, HE WAS A BRAVE ITALIAN QUARTERBACK! AND IN THIS HOUSE, TOMMY DEVITO IS A HERO! END OF STORY” pic.twitter.com/sLUk75uYrT
— 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐉𝐞𝐰𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬🇮🇱 (@PapaJewSports) November 26, 2023
This is what Tommy DeVito sees every time he takes a sack. pic.twitter.com/YWeCVbrPAY
— socialist sopranos memes (@gabagoolmarx) November 27, 2023
Rare photo of Tommy DeVito during his youth football days just surfaced pic.twitter.com/wJQV4VkAxb
— Sopranos World (@SopranosWorld) November 30, 2023
Patriots kicker as he steps up trying to deny Tommy DeVito: pic.twitter.com/dGkuPsAchG
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) November 26, 2023
The Sopranos intro with Tommy Devito’s family pic.twitter.com/UW45Dqa2cI
— Will Sommers (@WillSommers2) November 26, 2023
About the Author/s
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
