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Deion Sanders, NFL greats huddle over meatballs at Rao’s Super Bowl 2024 pop-up in Las Vegas

Rao's
Rao’s was faithfully recreated in Las Vegas.Johnny Foto Photography

There were super meatballs before the Super Bowl when Rao’s returned to the big game with a Las Vegas pop-up.

The hotspot is captained by the famed eatery’s co-owners Frank Pellegrino Jr. and Ron Straci, plus the Tom Brady of red sauces, Dino Gatto, and Wheels Up founder Kenny Dichter.

On Thursday night, “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders held court with attendees including fellow football greats Victor Cruz, Eli Manning, Warren Sapp, Russell Wilson, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and Tony Gonzalez, as well as Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce.

We previously reported that the famed East Harlem restaurant is looking for a potential permanent Vegas home after the success of its Miami outpost.

Deion Sanders met the maestro of meatballs, Dino Gatto. Johnny Foto Photography
Guests included Russell Wilson and Ciara. Johnny Foto Photography

The hotspot’s previous Sin City location closed in 2021 after an impressive 15-year run at Caesars Palace.

We hear that Sanders also had a table of Colorado Buffalos players, while there was also a table of former Giants greats seated together.

Also spotted at Sanders’ night: Ciara, Adoree’ Jackson, chef Bobby Flay, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, 76ers part owner David Adelman, David and Nicole Tepper, WME co-chairman Richard Weitz, MLB deputy commissioner Noah Garden and top PR whiz Ron Berkowitz.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was at the eatery earlier in the week. Getty Images
Top chefs Bobby Flay and Dino Gatto. Johnny Foto Photography

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was at the pop-up restaurant earlier in the week.

Rao’s “Gridiron Club” was also doing its part by raising awareness for the NFL’s Crucial Catch Initiative with the American Cancer Society, we hear.