Playing for Pizza

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham

Rick Dockery has to be the biggest goat ever in NFL football.  A third string quarterback who is bounced from team to team ends up on the Cleveland Browns, who are on their way to their first ever Superbowl.  In the Championship game, wouldn’t you know, the first two quarterbacks get hurt, so Rick comes in and manages to throw three interceptions in the last eleven minutes of the game sending his team to a brutal defeat.  He gets hurt as well - he’s knocked unconscious and ends up in the hospital.  The furious fans don’t care though.  As a matter of fact, about 100 angry diehards protest outside the hospital calling for the guys death.  

And you thought Philadelphia had tough fans.

Well, not surprisingly, Rick’s agent tells him that he’s obviously finished.  The only gig he can secure for Rick is in the country of Italy.  Do they actually play football in Italy?  Well, yes and no.  They have something resembling a league, but the local players don’t get paid (they have normal jobs), fans don’t pay to watch the games (on a good day, a few hundred will show up), the field is only 90 yards long (they convert old rugby fields), and there are no cheerleaders (although Rick’s agent lies to him and tells them that there are).  So Rick doesn’t really want to go, but he doesn’t have many choices and he needs to get away from Cleveland as quick as he can.  The “cheerleader” promise is probably what does it.  Rick has a thing for cheerleaders.  Sure, his agent lies, but agents are agents for a reason.

When Rick arrives in Italy, the book details many aspects of the Italian culture that most readers aren’t familiar.  We read an awful lot about the crowded streets, the popularity of opera, the little cars, the wine, and the food.  Oh the food.  Italians obviously love their food - in quantity and quality.  I’d recommend that you skip this book if you’re on a diet.  On the other hand, if you really love food, it wouldn’t surprise me if you plan a trip to Italy on your next vacation.

So washed up Rick is challenged to lead a rag tag group of Italians to their first “Super Bowl”.  It won’t be easy.  Each team is only allowed only three Americans.  At least the Americans get paid.  The vast majority of Americans are over there because, sadly, the life of the majority of football players who are great, but never great enough to succeed in the NFL, seem to make the trip as the options are indeed scant (as I write this, ironically, Tim Tebow is in the news for considering going to Italy to play).

If anything, this books serves as a bit of a redemption story for washed out Rick.  Sure, he’s majorly bummed when he finds out he was lied to about the cheerleader thing, but….well…. Italy is known for beautiful women.  He makes some mistakes on his journey, but manages to hold his head high and bring a bit of excitement to the lives of these ordinary locals.

Like all Grisham books, the author never fails to keep your attention.  I was surprised what a good story this was - both on and off the field.  I seem to recall Grisham giving us just enough play by play for each of the games to hold your attention - even if you’re not really a fan.  He does a really good job keeping things fresh, which isn’t that easy for a “sports” story.  Especially a football one  (I seem to recall his other football tale “Bleachers” to a be a bit too predictable.  It was nice, but it was a story we’ve all read before.)

This is a very quick read.  Those who enjoy reading can probably consume the entire story in one or two sittings.  This would make a very cute and funny movies as well  (unlike Skipping Christmas - the WORST John Grisham ever!)  I would also guess that you don’t even have to be much of a football fan to enjoy the story, either.