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Although the US is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still led by American-born athletes. Only 5% of players are foreign-born, and most of them enter the sport by attending college in the US. Genuine international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in England, 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 “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating in his area and soon aspired to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his dreams to attend college in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling 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 pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up all over London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; 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 the US college system, like what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had not played the game. First-year rookies also have to establish habits and routines: learning to look after their body and handle a huge game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”

Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes 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 get nervous or stressed about the similar things and require help in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care about your origin or what accent. And when people realize that you care, all the rest fades.”

Benefits of Being Outside the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are more diverse than people 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 developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who won the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

International Players and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s academy before discovering the sport at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not built for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so took up American football in his late teens. He stood out 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 had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington 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 action on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very welcoming environment, a great squad, a great franchise.”

Despite devoting the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is always very tight because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation outside the United States. The better each one of us does, the greater number of young people who play football in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back