Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux cooks spicy Calabrian spaghetti with Wagyu beef meatballs in 'My Passion' series
Giants star shares family pasta roots and a high-protein Italian dish in a feature by The Post, filmed on location with Brandon London.
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux showcased his culinary side in a recent episode of The Post's My Passion series, cooking Spicy Calabrian spaghetti with Wagyu beef meatballs on location at MetLife Stadium. The segment pairs Thibodeaux with host Brandon London as they walk through a high-protein Italian pasta dish designed to highlight flavor and balance.
The menu centers on spaghetti tossed in a lemon, garlic and olive oil sauce, with Wagyu beef meatballs that Thibodeaux shaped by hand. The episode follows Thibodeaux from prep to plating as London acts as sous chef, taste tester and occasional guinea pig. The pair also let the camera crew sample the dish as part of the cooking segment.
Thibodeaux traced his love of pasta to childhood in South Central Los Angeles, where his mother, Shawnta Loice, cooked pasta several times a week and cheered from the sidelines as he played. He described pasta as near and dear to his heart, noting that family meals were a big part of his upbringing before football duties took over. He learned the basics of cooking early, including a stint with a deep fryer in college, before shifting to a focus on healthier proteins and more refined preparations, such as Wagyu in his meatballs. The Giants star is also an Oregon Ducks alumnus, a detail he ties into his broader journey from kitchen basics to more complex cuisine.
His kitchen evolution continues as he refines his approach to quick, balanced meals that fit a professional athlete’s routine, pairing lean protein with bright, simple flavors. The episode reinforces the idea that cooking can support performance, not just pleasure, and it shows Thibodeaux sharing tips with London on ingredients, timing and plating.
Beyond the taste test, the piece highlights Thibodeaux's broader media presence. The camera crew sample the dish, and a production note from Juliana Turdo captures the lighthearted moment: Italian approval is in the air as she enjoys the dish. The segment also spotlights Thibodeaux's ongoing TikTok series, KT's Finger Lickin Kitchen, inviting fans to watch his culinary journey beyond the interview.
The feature is part of The Post's ongoing exploration of athletes' passions outside the field, combining performance context with personal interests. Readers are encouraged to check out the full episode and follow Thibodeaux's kitchen adventures on his TikTok channel for more recipes and behind-the-scenes cooking moments.
