Playing for Pizza

  A TIME TO KILL

  THE FIRM

  THE PELICAN BRIEF

  THE CLIENT

  THE CHAMBER

  THE RAINMAKER

  THE RUNAWAY JURY

  THE PARTNER

  THE STREET LAWYER

  THE TESTAMENT

  THE BRETHREN

  A PAINTED HOUSE

  SKIPPING CHRISTMAS

  THE SUMMONS

  THE KING OF TORTS

  BLEACHERS

  THE LAST JUROR

  THE BROKER

  THE INNOCENT MAN

  PLAYING FOR PIZZA

  THE APPEAL

  THE ASSOCIATE

  FORD COUNTY: STORIES

  JOHN GRISHAM has written twenty-one novels, including the recent #1 New York Times bestsellers The Associate and The Appeal, as well as one work of nonfiction, The Innocent Man. He lives in Virginia and Mississippi. His new book from Doubleday is Ford County: Stories.

  www.jgrisham.com

  Author’s Note

  A few years ago, while researching another book, I stumbled across American football in Italy. There is a real NFL there, with real teams, players, even a Super Bowl. So the setting of this book is reasonably accurate, though, as usual, I did not hesitate to take liberties when faced with additional research.

  The Parma Panthers are very real. I watched them play the Ancona Dolphins in the rain at Stadio Lanfranchi. Their coach is Andrew Papoccia (Illinois State), and his assistance was invaluable. Their quarterback Mike Souza (Illinois State), wide receiver Craig McIntyre (Eastern Washington), and defensive coordinator Dan Milsten (University of Washington) were extremely helpful. When it came to football, these Americans answered all my inquiries. When it came to food and wine, they were even more enthusiastic.

  The Panthers are owned by Ivano Tira, a warmhearted soul who made sure I enjoyed my brief time in Parma. David Montaresi walked me around that lovely city. Paolo Borchini and Ugo Bonvicini, former players, help run the organization. The Panthers are a bunch of tough Italians who play for the love of the game, and for the pizza afterward. They invited me to Polipo’s after practice one night, and I laughed until I cried.

  In these pages, though, all characters are fictional. I went to great lengths to stay away from real people. Any similarities are just coincidental.

  Thanks also to Bea Zambelloni, Luca Patouelli, Ed Pricolo, Llana Young Smith, and Bryce Miller. Special thanks to Parma Mayor Elvio Ubaldi for tickets to the opera. I was an honored guest in his box and I did indeed enjoy Otello at the Teatro Regio.

  John Grisham

  June 27, 2007