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While the US is a country of immigrants, the National Football League is still led by American-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by attending college in the United States. Genuine outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL

Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and did not played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating locally and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to university in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

It was here that he met Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first British full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a very hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with international athletes who had never played the sport. First-year rookies also have to establish structure and routines: how to look after their body and handle a huge game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and need support in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when players know that you are invested, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the American football world has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are genuinely intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.

International Players and Their Journeys

Foreign players have usually been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and handball, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He impressed while representing teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the LA Rams training team. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive environment, a great squad, a great organization.”

Although devoting the majority of practice with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The better every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to the US annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back