Playing for Pizza - Background Notes

Question 1

Playing for Pizza is a short novel by

Answer 1

John Grisham, released on September 25, 2007

Question 2

The novel is about an itinerant American football player who can no longer get work in the

Answer 2

National Football League

Question 3

agent, as a last resort, signs a deal for him to play for

Answer 3

the Parma Panthers, in Parma, Italy.

Question 4

a third string NFL quarterback for the Cleveland Browns

Answer 4

Rick Dockery

Question 5

who throws three interceptions in 11 minutes in the AFC championship game, blowing a HOW MANY point lead and resulting in the Browns missing their chance at their first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

Answer 5

17

Question 6

He is cut from the team, vilified in the press, and is facing legal troubles due to a questionable WHAT

Answer 6

paternity lawsuit

Question 7

His agent Arnie tries to find him work in the NFL, but no team will take him. Arnie manages to find him a starting position for the Parma Panthers of the

Answer 7

Italian Football league for meager compensation.

Question 8

Rick accepts the job, glad to get away from the negative press and his legal troubles in the United States, but wary of living in Italy, where he doesn’t

Answer 8

know the language and where American football draws little attention or respect.

Question 9

The Parma Panthers have only two other Americans on the team –

Answer 9

halfback Slidell “Sly” Turner, who ends up leaving early in the season, and Safety Trey Colby.

Question 10

The Panthers win their first game with Rick, then lose a couple for various reasons, including the

Answer 10

loss of his American teammates to homesickness and injury

Question 11

Despite these problems, Italy and the team are growing on Rick, and he begins to feel some loyalty to them despite the fact that

Answer 11

Arnie has found him a more lucrative job offer with a more respected CFL team.

Question 12

Rick decides to honor his contract with the Parma Panthers. With renewed resolve, a talented Italian wide receiver and a new strategy, they win each of their remaining regular-season games, then advance to the playoffs and the Italian Super Bowl, a very close and hard-fought game against their rivals, the

Answer 12

Bergamo Lions.

Question 13

Former NFL third string quarterback and Iowa alum who loses his NFL job and winds up playing in Italy for the Parma Panthers. (Actually modeled after Mike Souza who played at Illinois State and then the CFL and then played with the Parma Panthers). He is unmarried and is constantly looking for a girl.

Answer 13

Rick Dockery

Question 14

An American who coaches the Panthers.

Answer 14

Sam Russo -

Question 15

Rick’s agent, who found him the job in Italy playing with the Parma Panthers

Answer 15

Arnie -

Question 16

Running back from Colorado State, an American who quits early in the season.

Answer 16

Slydell Turner -

Question 17

A safety turned wide receiver who breaks his leg mid-season. Played at Ole Miss and was 3rd team SEC.

Answer 17

Trey Colby

Question 18

Talented but egotistical Italian-born wide receiver, known to walk off field in the middle of games.

Answer 18

Fabrizio -

Question 19

fullback of the Panthers and Italian Judge who sorts out Rick’s legal problems. Idolizes Franco Harris

Answer 19

Giuseppe “Franco” Lazzarino

Question 20

Center, and co-owner of a local restaurant where Rick is introduced to traditional Italian cuisine.

Answer 20

Nino

Question 21

Talented Italian linebacker who plays for rival team, the undefeated Bergamo Lions. Injured on the “Kill Maschi” play, designed by Rick in preparation for their first matchup. Idolizes Lawrence Taylor and demands to be called “L.T.” like Taylor.

Answer 21

Maschi -

Question 22

Writer for Cleveland Post, who attacks Rick (in print) following his disastrous performance in his last NFL game, then follows up with more nasty articles after Rick has relocated to Italy.

Answer 22

Charley Cray

Question 23

American college student studying in Italy, and love interest for Rick.

Answer 23

Livvy Galloway

Question 24

Beautiful opera singer with whom Rick is infatuated.

Answer 24

Gabriella Ballini

Question 25

What NFL team did Rick Dockery play for?

49ers
Giants
Colts
Browns

Answer 25

Browns

Question 26

What real life person is Rick based off of?

Peyton Manning
Tim Tebow
Mike Souza
Matt Schaub

Answer 26

Souza

Question 27

What is Ricks agents first name?

John
Milton
Arnie
Thomas

Answer 27

Arnie

Question 28

What country wanted a Former NFl player in their league?

London
Canada
Mexico
Italy

Answer 28

???

Question 29

Progress: 5 of 10 questions

Beautiful opera singer Rick Dockery is infatuated with?

Gabriella
Jessica
Arnie
Emily

Answer 29

Gabriella

Question 30

Progress: 6 of 10 questions

What football team wanted Rick?

Browns
Parma Panthers
Broncos
Seahawks

Answer 30

parma Panthers???

Question 31

How many points were the Browns up by when Rick came in the game?

10
20
12
17

Answer 31

17

Question 32

Progress: 8 of 10 questions

Who broke their leg half way through the season?

Maschi
Nino
Trey Colby
Charles Cray

Answer 32

Colby

Question 33

Who is Rick’s coach on the Parma Panthers?

Sam Russo
John Harbough
Nino
Charles Cray

Answer 33

sam Russo

Question 34

Why did he stay with Italy instead of going to Canada?

Answer 34

TO stay true to his contract