🔗 Share this article

While the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by US-born athletes. Only five percent of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the sport by attending college in the United States. True outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Browns organization. This is an achievement 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” game. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his plans to attend university in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my schedule and help out. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to train younger players from around the Pacific to get them into the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL

Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My experience was working with international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to build structure and routines: how to look after their health and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and require support in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or what accent. And when players know that you are invested, all the rest 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 soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have people from various origins, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at producing foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the championship earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have typically been specialists, brought in from different sports. Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and were not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was clearly not suited for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the championship trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle 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 hasn’t had game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says 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 all friends. The Vikings have a really inclusive culture, a excellent team, a great organization.”

Despite spending the majority of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is always very tight because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – was a receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the US. The better every IPP graduate performs, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to the US each year to coach the new group of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return