Sean Stellato, the agent for New York Giants rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito, has become a viral sensation in recent weeks. A hiccup with a local pizzeria aside, Stellato has grabbed the attention of the NFL world for his colorful attire and Italian heritage.
Stellato has received as much screen time as Taylor Swift over the past month, and that’s been both positive and negative.
While many of Stellato’s interviews have been grounded and yielded positive reviews, not everyone is a fan. Some around the business, like former ESPN analyst Todd McShay, despise the agent.
During a recent appearance on The Ringer with Ryen Russillo, McShay explained his disdain for Stellato.
“Don’t get me started on Sean Stellato. The fact that Sean Stellato is still in my life drives me crazy,” McShay said. “It’s an indictment on me, I’ll admit it upfront.”
McShay’s reasoning is all personal — an issue dating back to high school.
During his senior season, McShay’s team was undefeated headed into a game against Stellato’s Salem High School. The winner would have the opportunity to control their fate en route to the championship game.
Salem picked up the win but there were still two weeks remaining in the season. McShay’s team rebounded with back-to-back wins and during their final game, word emerged that Stellato’s team was behind late. If they were to falter, McShay and his team would get their championship opportunity.
Ultimately, it was not meant to be.
“Sean Stellato throws a touchdown pass with like no time left. They win that game. We’re shut out (of the championship). Season’s over. High school career is over,” McShay grumbled.
“15 years later I get word from somebody that I know who has talked to Stellato. He’s writing a book about it. And Stellato wants to contact me to do an interview. I tell him to go bleep himself. And I think it’s all going to go away.”
Then came the emergence of DeVito and the DeVito mania that followed. Stellato was suddenly back in the spotlight.
“I’m sitting on my couch a couple of weeks ago, Monday Night Football, and I look at this guy and I’m like, Holy (expletive), that’s Sean Stellato. He won’t go away. He’s like this rodent that won’t go away in my life,” McShay said.
“Again, all my fault, not Sean’s — I’m thrilled for Sean. Good guy, Italian-American Hall of Fame, all the great things. But now I am 46 years old and I am still feeling anguish towards Sean Stellato, and it’s not his fault.”
