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Although the United States is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still led by US-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the game by going to college in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his plans to attend university in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising time on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had never played the game. First-year rookies also have to build habits and routines: how to look after their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”

Is being an Brit who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined barrier than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and need support in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when people realize that you care, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Coming From Beyond the US System

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing international supporters than developing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.

International Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been kickers, brought in from different sports. Howfield exchanged playing up front for English clubs for being a kicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England 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 extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At over two meters and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so took up American football in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is being a international player still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive environment, a excellent squad, a great franchise.”

Despite devoting the majority of practice with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is always close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The more successful each one of us does, the greater number of youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to the US annually to train the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return