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Although the United States is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is largely dominated by US-born players. Only five percent of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the game by attending university in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his dreams to go to college in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear around London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get 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 championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to train younger players from across the Pacific to get them into the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, optimizing time on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very active position, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had not played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to build habits and schedules: learning to look after their health and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”

Does being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and require support in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when people know that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Advantages of Being Beyond the US System

Coming from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, 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 curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at producing foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the elite level.

Foreign Players and Their Journeys

Foreign players have typically been specialists, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and were not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is just as unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his preferred games, football and the sport, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the 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 end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?

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

Although devoting the majority of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my best man, in fact – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation beyond the US. The better each one of us performs, the more young people who play football in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to train the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us return