John Grisham is a household name. He has been entertaining readers with his legal thrillers for decades, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. His books have sold millions of copies worldwide, and many have even been adapted into Hollywood movies. But one book stands out from the rest—Playing for Pizza—which was inspired by an unexpected trip to Italy in 2006. In this article, we explore how John Grisham’s Italian adventure led to one of his most beloved novels and the real-life football story that served as its inspiration.

When John Grisham set off on a research trip to Bologna, Italy for his novel The Broker in 2006, he had no idea that it would be the catalyst for one of his greatest works yet: Playing For Pizza. It all started when he met Luca, a professional chauffeur who told him about American football in Italy – something Grisham had never heard before. This sparked an interest within him which eventually resulted in writing the novel about a washed-up quarterback who finds solace playing on an Italian team where everyone plays just for pizza and pride instead of money or fame as they do back home in America. The novel received critical acclaim and was later adapted into a successful movie, making the author a household name in the literary world. The author credits his curiosity for exploring new cultures and experiences as the driving force behind his success.

The protagonist of the novel, Rick Dockery, was based on Nick Eyde—a former quarterback in the Italian League who would later become a real estate developer in Toledo. In 2006, he was playing for the Bolzano Giants and his team found themselves tied with the Bergamo Lions in the final seconds. With no time left, Eyde tossed a 35-yard Hail Mary for the game-winning touchdown securing the championship for the Bolzano Giants. Eyde’s clutch performance earned him recognition as one of the top quarterbacks in the league and solidified his legacy as a key player in Italian football history.

It was this moment, along with Grisham’s experience in Italy, that served as the inspiration for Playing For Pizza. The novel ends with Rick Dockery hurling a Hail Mary to beat undefeated Bergamo in the Italian Bowl. All these years later, Grisham could not recall the inspiration for his heroic finale, but he remembers the heart and spirit of the Italian league and the delightful incongruity of it all.

Grisham’s experience in Italy inspired a novel filled with characters that were passionate about playing American football despite their lack of fame or fortune. It serves as a reminder that it is not always money or fame that drives us, but the joy and sense of community found in playing a game we love. Although our teams may never make it to the Super Bowl, we can bring the joy of the Italian Super Bowl to us!

So if you ever find yourself stuck in Italy in a cab listening to opera and trying to find an American Super Bowl football game, remember that only two teams have never made it—the Browns and Lions. But even if they don’t make it this year, we can still enjoy the spirit of the Italian Super Bowl!