Tommy DeVito, a breakout sensation for the New York Giants, had a memorable moment in the spotlight on Monday Night Football only to be overshadowed by his own agent, Sean Stellato.
During ESPN’s broadcast of the game, Stellato sported a black fedora, pinstripe suit, and celebrated with Mr. DeVito’s father, Tom, which captured the attention of viewers and the internet, causing quite a stir.
Mr. Stellato, 45, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday that he only grasped the magnitude of the moment when he began to receive text messages from his four daughters.
“They were blowing me up,” Mr. Stellato said. “They were like, ‘Daddy, this is crazy!’”
How crazy? In a simulcast of the game, Peyton Manning referred to Mr. Stellato as Johnny Fontane and the ultimate endorsement came on social media from Stevie Van Zandt.
“It’s been absolutely nuts,” Mr. Stellato said. “But you know what? We’re having fun with it.”
Mr. Stellato represents 12 N.F.L. players, including Mr. DeVito, and has added another layer to the overall aesthetic, with both the player and himself embracing their Italian American heritage.
Before Monday’s game, Mr. Stellato chose a pinstripe suit from Mohan’s, a custom tailor on Madison Avenue, a black turtleneck from Paige, a fedora from Bellissimo, and a gift from one of his clients; a pair of gold Nike Air Force 1 sneakers.
He recalled how his grandmother, Littizza Lillian Stellato, who worked in the men’s department at Filene’s Basement, had an outsize influence on his sense of style. She got him his first suit.
“My nonna,” he said. “She was my inspiration.”
In college, he wore frosted tips under his football helmet and walked the runway in a student fashion show.
Mr. Stellato acknowledged that some critics have accused him of leaning in too much on Italian American stereotypes, arguing that he admires the fedora look.
A new inductee into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, Mr. Stellato said he and Mr. DeVito had bonded in part over clothes.
“Tommy loves his fashion,” Mr. Stellato said. “He loves his gear. Maybe I’m a little louder at times, but we share that passion for clothing and lifestyle.”
Mr. Stellato’s wife, Krista, is largely supportive of his choices, while his daughter Gianna, 16, acts as a reality check concerning his fashion choices.
“She’ll say, ‘Daddy, you can’t wear those pants! They’re too tight!’” Mr. Stellato said. “And I’ll be like, ‘All right, I’ll change them up.’”