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Although the United States is a country of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by American-born players. Only 5% of players are foreign-born, and most of them enter the game by going to university in the US. True international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and never played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to college in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up around London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

It was here that he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to work with younger players from across the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, like what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a very active position, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had never played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to build structure and schedules: learning to look after their body and deal with a huge playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and require help in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when players know that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than developing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

International Athletes and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at university, has made that step. He competed in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so took up American football in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the national side, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they ask: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a great team, a top franchise.”

Despite devoting the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The better each one of us performs, the more young people who participate in Italy, in Europe, wherever, 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 nice to encourage them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to the US annually to coach the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return