In a league where posh residences dominate players’ lifestyles, the Giants’ newfound sensation Tommy DeVito has chosen a different route, opting to remain rooted in the only place he’s ever called home.
The 25-year-old quarterback, who recently clinched a thrilling victory against the Packers, still resides with his parents in the modest 2,300-square-foot Cedar Grove, New Jersey house where he spent his childhood.
It’s a house his parents snagged for a mere $232,000 back in ’95, a few years before Tommy’s arrival.
For DeVito, living under his childhood roof isn’t a burden but a sanctuary, referring to the decision as a “no-brainer,” with his mom at his beck-and-call.
“Everything that I need is there at the house,” he told ESPN. “The decision was made since this level of football is stressful for a rookie, especially from the quarterback position. There is a lot going on, a lot of meetings. So everything outside of football is handled by my family.”
“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. Honestly, I don’t even know if I could find a place closer to here than where I live. It takes me 12 minutes to get here.”
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-story property was built in 1963 and is situated on a less than half-an-acre lot with a two-car garage.
But it’s not just the comfort that keeps DeVito firmly anchored; it’s the familial ties.
His dad, Tom Jr., helms a heating and plumbing company, boasting his prowess as the fastest boiler installer around. Meanwhile, Lexy, DeVito’s proud mom, has turned her support into a cottage industry, crafting “Tommy Cutlets” merchandise that’s become a fan favorite.
“He’s kinda chill,” she said. “He’s very relaxed but he gets excited.”
“He’s kind of just a chill — cool as a cucumber type of thing. He’s really enjoying it. We’re really blessed right now.”
The Giants’ locker room banter even reflects this family connection.
During one game, star running back Saquon Barkley affectionately referred to DeVito as “Tommy Cutlets,” shouting “Jersey” as he took the field, emphasizing the quarterback’s Garden State roots.
As a recent key player to the Giants’ roster, DeVito earns roughly $44,000 per week for every game he is on the team, according to NorthJersey.com. That amount is a league minimum of $750,000 for the 2023 season.
“This is a very smart financial decision on Tommy DeVito’s part, because he is not guaranteed a contract and is up against the extremely short career span that a majority of NFL players have,” Chris Mankoff, a certified financial planner in Plano, Texas, told CNBC Make It.