Football

Giants QB Tommy DeVito gets key to the city in his hometown of Cedar Grove

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6 months ago

May 10, 2024

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Giants QB Tommy DeVito gets key to the city in his hometown of Cedar Grove

Tommy DeVito’s improbable first NFL season saw him go from unheralded third-string New York Giants quarterback to a fan favorite who led the team to multiple unlikely victories.

This week, the North Jersey native returned to where it all started.

DeVito was honored in his hometown of Cedar Grove with a proclamation and a key to the city at Monday’s Township Council meeting. Mayor Kerry Peterson lauded the quarterback as “a hometown hero . . . whose journey embodies the spirit of resilience, determination, and community.”

DeVito, 25, injected life into the Giants in the middle of last season after injuries to the team’s top two quarterbacks, Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. He was the starter for three consecutive victories, the last of which came on Monday Night Football against a playoff-bound Green Bay Packers squad.

The improbable run turned DeVito into an overnight sensation among many North Jersey residents and football fans. Even Peterson, a lifelong New York Jets supporter, admitted pulling for her fellow Cedar Grove native as his legend grew.

“Your skill, your determination, your unwavering tenacity — these qualities were evident every time you stepped onto that field,” the mayor told DeVito Monday. “But it wasn’t just your on-field prowess that endeared you to us; it was your off-field persona, your humility, and your genuine love for your community.”

Monday’s ceremony was the latest off-the-field accolade for DeVito, who had both a beer and a pizza named after him and attended several packed autograph signings throughout the region. His success, Peterson said, embodies the hard work and perseverance of Cedar Grove that have made him a “symbol of pride” in his hometown.

“Tommy, as you continue your journey, remember that Cedar Grove will always be your home,” the mayor said. “You are part of the fabric of this community, and wherever life may take you, know that you will always be welcomed back with open arms.”