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Although the US is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is largely dominated by American-born players. Just five percent of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the sport by going to college in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL

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 incredible considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and never played professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing in his area and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to university in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

It was here that he met Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to train younger players from across the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had never played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish habits and routines: how to look after their health and handle a huge game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the same things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand 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 rest fades.”

Advantages of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who won the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates 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 exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before discovering the sport at university, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He stood out while representing teams in Austria and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a great team, a great organization.”

Although devoting most of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is conscious he represents not only his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the more youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida each year to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return