🔗 Share this article

Although the United States is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still led by US-born players. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and most of them enter the sport by going to university in the United States. True outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and never participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating locally and quickly wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his dreams to attend college in the US proved too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear around London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on role, which is ideal for me. My background was working with international athletes who had not played the game. Rookie rookies also have to build habits and schedules: how to look after their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an real one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and require help in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when players realize that you are invested, all the rest fades.”

Benefits of Being Outside the US System

Originating from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the very top.

International Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

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

Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and handball, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the national side, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a really inclusive culture, a great team, a top organization.”

Despite spending most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is always very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my best man, in fact – was a wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation outside the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida each year to train the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back