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Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born players. Only five percent of participants are born abroad, and most of them enter the sport by going to university in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played professional sport. 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 started playing locally and quickly aspired to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as playing for Great Britain, but his plans to go to university in the US proved too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d appear all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting rookies, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very active position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had not played the sport. First-year rookies also have to build structure and schedules: how to look after their body and handle a huge game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Brit who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like 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 require support in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when players know that you are invested, all the other stuff fades.”

Advantages of Coming From Outside the US System

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 the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing international supporters than nurturing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the elite level.

International Players and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and did not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before discovering American football at university, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so started American football in his late teens. He stood out while playing for clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a great team, a great organization.”

Although devoting the majority of training with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US annually to coach the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back