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While the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Only 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them enter the game by going to college in the United States. True outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

Cook’s Surprising Path to the League

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his dreams to go to college in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear all over London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

It was here that he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. Rookie rookies also have to establish structure and routines: how to look after their health and handle a massive playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”

Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and require help in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the rest fades.”

Benefits of Being Beyond the US System

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Players and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been specialists, recruited from different sports. Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and were not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not suited for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so took up American football in his late teens. He stood out while representing teams in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in that year.

The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in each team but is yet to see game time on the field. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really inclusive culture, a great squad, a top organization.”

Despite devoting most of practice with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is conscious he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation outside the US. The better every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back