Playing for Pizza (2007) is a sports novel by John Grisham, who is best known for his legal thrillers. The novel follows Rick Dockery, a third-string quarterback who can no longer find work in the National Football League. Dockery begins his new career as the quarterback of the Parma Panthers, a football team based in northern Italy. As Rick adjusts to life in Italy and his new teammates, he rediscovers his love for football and his self-confidence. Major themes in the novel include The Importance of Loyalty, The Pressures of Fame, and The Value of Forging Meaningful Connections.

This study guide uses the 2007 Doubleday print edition of the novel.

Plot Summary

Rick Dockery wakes up in a hospital 24 hours after a brutal hit to learn he has been released from the Cleveland Browns. His agent, Arnie, encourages him to quit football, but Rick refuses. Arnie contacts half of the teams in the league, but no one is interested. Finally he calls Sam Russo, the coach of an American football team in Parma, Italy. Sam offers Rick $20,000 to quarterback the Parma Panthers for one season. Rick initially resists but is flattered that any coach wants him. Eager to escape his troubles at home, he finally accepts.

Sam gives Rick a tour of Parma on his arrival and encourages him to learn as much as possible about Italian history, culture, and language. At the Stadio Lanfrancho, the rugby stadium the Panthers rent for games, Sam explains that most of the players have other jobs, and that he is not the only American on the team. Over a long dinner that night, Rick is introduced to his teammates and the best of Parma food, including parmesan cheese and Parma ham. The next morning, a very hungover Rick is awakened by police and ordered to report to the police station to meet Giuseppe “Franco” Lazzarino, a Parma judge and the team’s enthusiastic fullback.

Rick arrives early to his first practice and meets the other Americans on the team: Sly Turner, a young running back from Colorado, and Trey Colby, a safety from Mississippi, both in their final year of play. During a grueling practice, Rick is introduced to his Italian teammates and the team’s culture, which is starkly different from the NFL. Later, the team enjoys a raucous meal of pizza and beer. The next morning, Rick wakes early to practice driving his new car, a tiny manual Fiat. Police stop him and tow the car, but Rick invokes Judge Franco’s name, and the matter is quickly resolved. Franco and his wife invite Rick, Sam, and Sam’s wife to dinner at their home. Rick is thrilled to spend time with women, having been around only men for so long.

Rick scores five touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a decisive win against the Naples Bandits in their first game of the season. The next evening, Rick attends a performance of Otello at the Parma Opera and becomes enamored with the lead soprano, Gabriella Ballini. After a chance encounter on the street, Rick asks Gabriella for a drink and later to lunch, despite knowing she has a boyfriend. Rick attends another performance and takes Gabriella out afterward. Rick, Trey, Sly, and Paolo spend a rowdy weekend in Milan, leading to a disastrous loss against the Milan Rhinos.

Gabriella tells Rick that she’s returning to Florence with her boyfriend and Sly announces that he’s going back to America. Sam receives a call from a lawyer representing the wide receiver Fabrizio, who never returned to practice after the loss in Milan and is now refusing to play unless he is paid. Cleveland reporter Charley Cray arrives in Parma as the Panthers lose again. Trey’s leg is broken in the game, forcing the Panthers to agree to Fabrizio’s salary demands. With Fabrizio’s help, the Panthers defeat the Lazio Marines.

Rick receives an offer to play in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Arnie encourages him to take it. The next day, Rick impulsively takes a trip to Florence to see Gabriella. When she stands him up, he meets a young American exchange student named Livvy. The Saskatchewan coach Rat Mullins convinces Rick to fly in and meet with him. When Rick learns Rat is also pursuing other quarterbacks, he flies to Cleveland instead and punches Charley Cray.

Livvy spends a weekend in Parma with Rick, dragging him to architectural and historical sites across the city. With Livvy in the stands, the Panthers defeat the Gladiators of Rome. The next week, they defeat the Bolzano Giants, bringing them closer to the top-rated team, the long-undefeated Bergamo Lions. As Rick and the Panthers prepare to face Bergamo, Livvy arrives with all her luggage and announces she has no plans to return to Florence or America, despite her expired visa.

The Panthers beat the previously undefeated Bergamo Lions in an aggressive game. Afterward, Rick begins to experience severe headaches. Rick learns more about Livvy’s issues with her family, which stem from her parents’ contentious divorce. The Panthers make the playoffs, then defeat Bologna to win a spot in the Super Bowl. Rick and Livvy spend a weekend in Venice, and Livvy asks him to consider staying in Italy with her after the season ends.

Rick is visited by private investigators hired by Livvy’s parents to bring her home. Livvy asks Rick if Franco can help with her visa problem. The Panthers earn a hard-fought win against the Bergamo Lions in the Super Bowl, but Rick takes another difficult hit. The Panthers offer Rick a bonus to extend his contract, but Rick tells Sam that he isn’t sure if he’ll return, citing his history of concussions. As the novel ends, Rick and Livvy leave Parma together to explore Italy.