In the heart of the NFL’s 2023 season, an unexpected hero has emerged from the shadows of the draft day disappointment. Tommy DeVito, the New York Giants’ rookie quarterback, isn’t just making headlines—he’s rewriting the playbook on what it means to be an underdog.

Picture this: an undrafted free agent with deep Italian roots and an agent who looks straight out of The Godfather suddenly becomes the talk of the league. DeVito caught some attention during his time at Syracuse and the University of Illinois, and then kicked off his NFL journey as an undrafted free agent. After the 2023 NFL Draft, the New York Giants picked him up, recognizing the talent in the New Jersey guy. It took him eight weeks to hit the field for his first NFL game and ten weeks to get his first start. By Week 14, he had already notched his third straight win as the Giants’ starting quarterback.

In the 2023 season, DeVito transformed from a relatively unknown player to the starting quarterback of a storied franchise. Plus, his local roots have made him a fan favorite among Giants supporters, turning him into one of the most loved players in the NFL. DeVito for the New York Giants stepped up his game in the 2023 NFL season, showing noticeable growth in his passing and rushing abilities. He completed 114 out of 178 passes throughout nine games, giving him a solid 64.0% completion rate.

This season he hasn’t started so far, but he will be doing that soon with Daniel Jones out of the team. But where is the QB from?

Tommy Devito’s Nationality and Ethnicity

Tommy DeVito, a Cedar Grove guy from New York, grew up in an Italian-American family and decided to stick around with his parents during his first season in the NFL. This is pretty rare for quarterbacks, who usually move out during college or right after they sign their contracts. But for Tommy, being close to the Giants’ training facility and keeping those family connections strong was important to him.

While he’s got that Italian background and a love for pizza, DeVito’s family also embraces American culture. His buddies like to call him “Tommy Cutlets,” a nickname that comes from his love for his mom’s chicken cutlets. The name really took off when Saquon Barkley, the star running back for the Giants, shouted “Jersey” during a game against the Patriots and dubbed him “Tommy Cutlets.”

The nickname got so popular that a sandwich shop in New Jersey even asked for him to sign as “Tommy Cutlets,” showing just how the NFL brings together different cultures and makes the fan experience even better.