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While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely led by American-born players. Just 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by attending college in the US. True outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s story remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as playing for Team GB, but his plans to go to college in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

It was here that he met Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and 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 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 remarkable players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; 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 aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to build structure and routines: how to look after their body and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Englishman who never compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. 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 about your origin or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. People are truly curious. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have people from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been specialists, brought in from different sports. Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

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

Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and handball, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while representing clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the national side, and was offered a spot on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team but is yet to see game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very welcoming culture, a excellent team, a great franchise.”

Although spending the majority of training with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “In my view all the countries outside the US. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who participate in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to the US annually to train the next wave of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back