Parma Panthers

Dasaro created the team from an amalgam of power lifters from a local high school gym, ex-rugby players, other vet students, and a mixed bunch of soccer goalies, track and field athletes, and local kids who had seen football on the occasional TV broadcast and liked the helmet and shoulderpad look.

LB Onyeka Ossai and the phenomenal American import RB/SS Andrew Papoccia (reappointed for the 2006 season, ed.

In spite of this, the Panthers are able to stay competitive in league play, and came up a touchdown short in their final game to miss the playoffs.

Players worth noting for their excellent play are Lanzoni, Scurria and Rasheed Shittu for the defense and Menozzi, Gennari, Antonetti and G. Ferrari on offense.

Andrew Papoccia had the task of interviewing and selecting staff from Member States, and the team began to work to provide what was necessary to allow the athletes to train and play in the best possible conditions.

With Andrew Papoccia returning to the United States for family commitments on a few occasions, the Panthers hired Running Back Eddie Pricolo from Sacred Heart University.

In June, to try to reach the playoffs, Parma brings back Coach Piner, who substantially contributes to the success achieved by the team.

Both of the Costi brothers hang up their cleats and are soon followed by Zambelloni and Shittu, while Andrew Papoccia is sworn in as the new head coach.

League rules only permit two American players on the field at the same time and the team is surprised by the return of Souza and McIntyre.

An injury to McIntyre forces Papoccia to play against the Rhinos, where the Italian-American ace excelled in rushing, receiving and returning kicks.

Gavesi is signed before the game, a young rookie who is not only a talented receiver, but is a fool proof field goal kicker, which makes all the difference at this point of the season.

Aristide De Pascalis and Marco Tunnera are the two MVP's of the season and give the team hope for a promising future.

To do so, the Panthers sign from Harvard University QB Danny Brown (later replaced by Thomas Zetts due to injury), WR Corey Mazza and RB/LB Ryan Tully.

2008 is also the first time the Panthers participate in a European competition, unleashing a series of performances that make the case for them to punch their ticket into the final of the EFAF Cup.

2009 - The American trio signed for this season is made up of Ryan Tully, the return of Craig McIntyre and the arrival of QB Joe Craddock from Middle Tennessee State.

The seasons starts with the Panthers imposing its will on the Hogs and the Lions (with black-silver becoming authors of a sensational comeback, recovering from 7-26 to win 30-26).

Parma performs the miracle however, and makes a field goal at the end of regulation and establishes themselves as the owners of the top spot.

2010 - After 2 seasons, Ryan Tully leaves the Panthers and is replaced by LB/RB Greg Hay, while Craddock and McIntyre state that they sign with Parma for another year.

The roster also sees the addition of several young players, including several from the youth teams, and others from the Bobcats of Parma and Drunken Irishmen of Massa.

After a traumatic start (down 14-0 in the first few minutes), the Panthers came back to win (21-20), and punched their ticket for a third Super Bowl appearance in 5 years.

The Panthers attack was led by the phenomenal play of Joe Craddock, and the offense finds their rhythm that had been so excellent throughout the regular season.

Parma also boasted national player recognition for Tommaso Antonetti (RT), Enrico Bergonzani (TE), Michele Canali (DE), Matteo Ferrari (C), Nicola Francani (CB), Michele Fumarola (CB), Nicola Gasparri (WR), Tommaso Monardi (QB), Francesco Vasini (DB) and Andrea Vergazzoli (K).

After a slow start, the Panthers string together three wins in a row (against the Doves, Dolphins and Giants) before hitting the second defeat of the season, against the Warriors of Bologna.

In the splendid setting of stadium XXV Aprile, the Panthers are crowned Italian Champions for the second year in a row.

QB Monardi received the award for best Italian player, while DE Michele Canali is named the best defensive lineman.

Dismayed only by a solitary Week 4 loss to the Ancona Dolphins, 20-28, the Panthers cruised through the rest of the regular season and entered the playoffs with a first round bye.

The final game of the season, the IFL Super Bowl, would match up the Panthers and a team they had already beaten twice, the Milan Seamen.

While the game was initially back-and-forth and competitive, like so many other times in 2013, the Panthers eventually ran away with it for a final score of 51-28 and a 4th consecutive IFL title.

Playing for Pizza is a novel by John Grisham about a quarterback who signs for Parma after being blamed for the defeat of the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Championship game.