The release date for the English version of 'Playing for Pizza' by
John Grisham is Sep 2007. If you enjoy this novel, it is available for buy as a paperback from Barnes & Noble or Indigo, as an ebook on the Amazon Kindle store, or as an audiobook on Audible.
The Cleveland Browns' third-string quarterback at the time was Rick Dockery. To almost everyone's amazement and dismay, Rick actually entered the game during the AFC Championship game versus Denver. Rick had maybe the worst single effort in NFL history with minutes remaining and a 17-point lead. He turned into a laughingstock throughout the country overnight, and the Browns cut him right away. All other teams avoided him as well.
However, Rick is only familiar with football, therefore he wants his agent, Arnie, to find him a club that will use him. Arnie eventually finds such a squad against all odds and tells Rick that, amazingly, he may now be a starting quarterback—for the formidable Panthers of Parma, Italy.
It is true that some Italians play American football, and the Parma Panthers would do everything to have a former NFL player lead them. Rick then leaves for Italy after grudgingly accepting to play for the Panthers—at least until a better offer comes along. He has never been to Europe, doesn't speak or comprehend any Italian, and has no knowledge of Parma. It would be an understatement to say that Rick Dockery has a few surprises in store for him in Italy.