New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) celebrates with wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) after Hodgins caught a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
In his first start at Metlife Stadium since his state championship at Don Bosco Prep as a senior in high school, Tommy DeVito bested one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time, Bill Belichick. He became only the seventh rookie to beat Belichick since 2000 and, more importantly, he has shifted the culture of the locker room and has his teammates buying in.
After delivering a strike to Isaiah Hodgins and shaking a tackle to get into the end zone for the Giants’ lone touchdown of a 10-7 victory, nearly everyone on the field and DeVito’s parents in the stands celebrated with a brand new high-five.
Some simply call it the Italian hand where one turns their hand upward, pinches their fingers together, and shakes the hand at the wrist.
“There is no word for it. I don’t think there is a word for it. Is there a word for it?” DeVito pondered. “Usually when you type in an emoji on like iMessage, like it’ll pop up. I don’t know if there is like a [pinched fingers].”
The new “DeVito” celebration is not only an ode to DeVito’s New Jersey roots, but a sign that Giants locker room culture is shifting.
“Everybody is doing it at this point, I don’t know,” DeVito said. “I’m cool with it. It’s just a vibe, it’s a lot of fun.”
As DeVito has gotten more reps under his belt, he has looked more comfortable in Mike Kafka’s offense while adding his own personality.
“Bring your own kind of confidence and swagger,” he said. “Let your personality show, and I just try to do that every play.”
The New Jersey native has brought an infectious confidence that has changed the Giants on both sides of the ball. For the first time all season on Sunday, the…
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