Who is Thomas Fidone, the NFL player earning praise for his off-field craft and charging $50 for his services

Fans recently spotted an NFL player clad in impressive tattoos all over his body. Turns out it was the Giants player Thomas Fidone. Drafted 219^th overall in the 7^th round in the 2025 NFL draft by Big Blue, he stands 6 '5, weighs 243 pounds and plays as a Tight End.

Despite his limited involvement on the field with the team, fans are talking about him, though not for his skills on the field. Fidone is attracting attention for what he does off the field in his free time when he is not catching or blocking.

Fidone is a tattoo artist outside of football. He taught himself the art during the COVID-19 pandemic by watching YouTube tutorials. Initially, he first began using his newly taught skills on himself, gradually honing his craft. He has since launched an Instagram page dedicated to tattoo work, where he accepts appointments and charges $50 for his services.


Tattoo lovers can visit his Instagram page, @tommy_tatz and message him directly to book an appointment. His profile also showcases his detailed work, featuring a variety designs he has inked over the years. These include the famous phrase Memento Mori, Memento Vivere, an image of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, inspirational quotes, Bible verses etc.

ALSO READ: Nikola Jokic Net Worth 2026: From second-round NBA draft pick to multimillionaire - How the Nuggets star made his fortune

However, one particular design stood out from the rest: a cheeky Dinosaur tattoo that caught the attention of fans.

Fidone tattooed a picture of male genitalia on someone’s arm. However, the genitalia sits on top of a dinosaur, T. rex’s body, with the words RAWR alongside it. Fans saw the hilarious side of it, dubbing it “D-Rex”.

The Giants Tight End still tattoos himself and has also inked some of his teammates. According to him, tattooing himself hurts, but his craft has taught him that you can’t rush perfection.

Fans loved Fidone’s tattoos, praising his art and cheeky Dinosaur design he drew on someone. They also questioned why someone would get something like that tattooed on themselves. They said,

“Didn’t have this on my 2026 bingo card”.

Another added, When you see it, I can’t stop laughing… legit crying”

Someone commented, I believe that’s known as a Cockosaurus Rex”.

A user wrote, “The man has range”

Others said, Who got Tyrannosaurus Cock tattooed on them??”

Tattooing is an art that requires time and patience, and Fidone’s whole life story is all about patience.

Fidone's journey into the NFL is all about patience and perseverance.

The Giants Tight End has overcome adversity throughout his life to make his way to the NFL. Coming out of Lewis Central High School in Iowa, he was a 4-star recruit and was rated number 2 Tight End in the whole country for the class of 2021.

He received 36 D1 offers, including from schools like Iowa, LSU, Michigan, etc. But growing up, he and his whole family rooted for the Cornhuskers. Having once been for a young kid proudly wearing a tiny Nebraska jersey, committing to his childhood team was a no-brainer.

ALSO READ: Meet Georgie: What to know about Olympic champion Tara Lipinski’s three-year-old daughter who is following in the footsteps of her mother

However, his dream of playing for the Cornhuskers dealt a devastating blow when he tore his ACL after one game. His road to recovery was long and arduous. He rehabbed for a whole year to get back on the field, but just as he made his comeback, he suffered the same fate again.

Fidone yet again tore his ACL in the same knee, missing the entire 2022 season and almost all of 2021. He had to watch from the sidelines wearing a brace as his teammates continued to take the field without him. However, according to him, those adversities made him the man he is now. They made him mentally and physically tough.

What got him through these tough times was his family. Fidone grew up in a big, tightly-knit family. He knew he could lean on them during his time of adversity because his family knew how to deal with tough situations. His uncle, Salvatore 3, succumbed to injuries he suffered in the roadside accident. His cousin Sebastiano fought through cancer, stroke, and a seizure. All these incidents taught the former Cornhusker the value of strength.

Fidone felt that making it to the NFL was the only way he could repay his family for all their support and sacrifices. As soon as he picked up football and started playing the sport, there was a backup plan for him, and it became his ticket to the NFL.

“I want to make my family proud,” Fidone said. “One day, I want to pay everybody back for helping me along the way. I want to get to the NFL and buy them a house or something. I just want to be successful. I don’t really have a backup plan. It’s a one-shot thing for me, and I'm going to do whatever it takes”.

Fidone still holds on that dream, but his hustle has opened a path for him where he can make a living as a tattoo artist if NFLjourney doesn’t pan out. The Nebraska Alum saw no action in the team’s offense last season. This year, he has recorded just one catch for 29 yards, which came during the Giants overtime win over the Texans.