Tommy DeVito has become a sensation and a bit of a folk legend for the way the rookie has stepped into a starting role with the New York Giants. Part of DeVito’s charm can be found in his personality and outlook on life.
This includes his take on a football rivalry that dates back to his high school days.
A question asked by the New York Post’s Steve Serby this week got things started for DeVito. The Giants play at the Philadelphia Eagles this week, and it will be DeVito’s first introduction to one of the toughest environments in the NFL.
Saying “I like a hostile crowd,” DeVito answered a question about what was the toughest environment he’s ever played in.
“A Bergen-Bosco game, ever seen one of those? 15,000 in the crowd. It don’t go well for your family and all,” DeVito said.
DeVito, a graduate of Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey), is alluding to the rivalry his high school program had with Bergen Catholic (Paramus, New Jersey). The two schools are frequently among the best in the state.
This year, Bergen Catholic finished No. 23 in the nation in the USA TODAY HSS Super 25.
Tommy DeVito says that Bergen Catholic-Don Bosco games were the most hostile environments he ever played in:
“You ever seen one of those? 15,000 in the crowd. It don’t go well, for your family and all.” pic.twitter.com/C3UasSptGR
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 20, 2023
It says something as to the intesity of the rivalry between those two programs that DeVito would rank Bergen-Bosco as the toughest crowd he’s played in. In college, DeVito was the starting quarterback at Syracuse before finishing out his career at Illinois.
That put him in tough stadiums and road environments such as Michigan and Wisconsin in the Big Ten and at Florida State in the ACC.
For now, however, DeVito is embracing the opportunity this week at the Eagles.
“I heard it is a pretty hostile environment, I’m looking forward to it,” DeVito said.
“I like the crowd in those environments.”
