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While the US is a country of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by American-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the game by attending university in the US. Genuine outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He started playing in his area and quickly wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his plans to go to university in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around 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 Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to work with younger players from across the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, optimizing time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very active position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had not played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and routines: how to look after their body and handle a massive playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an actual 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 ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and require support in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Advantages of Being Outside the US System

Originating from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have people from various origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

International athletes have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Howfield exchanged playing up front for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and were not trained in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so took up American football in his late teens. He stood out while playing for teams in Austria and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was given a spot on the IPP in that year.

The following year, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really welcoming culture, a great team, a top franchise.”

Although devoting most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – was a wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “I would say every nation outside the US. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who participate in Italy, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to train the next wave of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us return