The Players and Coaches Born Outside in the United States
Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely dominated by US-born players. Only 5% of players are foreign-born, and most of them enter the sport by attending university in the United States. True international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s story exceptional.
Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League
Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. 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” game. He began participating in his area and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as 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 guys needed me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. Being 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 didn’t get paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”
It was here that he met Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went 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.”
Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL
Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had not played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to build habits and routines: how to look after their body and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”
Does being an Brit who never compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ 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 similar things and need help in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the other stuff fades.”
Advantages of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble
Originating from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly curious. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who won the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the very top.
International Players and Their Journeys
Foreign players have typically been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before discovering the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so took up American football in his late teens. He stood out while playing for clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.
A year later, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in each team but is yet to see game time on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?
“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” says 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, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive environment, a excellent squad, a top franchise.”
Although spending most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – played wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Motivating the Future
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation beyond the US. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida each year to coach the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back