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While the US is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is largely dominated by US-born players. Just 5% of players are foreign-born, and most of them enter the sport by attending college in the US. True outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the League

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and never played professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing in his area and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to college in the US were too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d show up all over London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl 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 Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific region to get them into college football, like what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, maximising time on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the game. Rookie rookies also have to establish habits and routines: how to look after their body and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and need help in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when players know that you are invested, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Being Outside the US System

Coming from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than nurturing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

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

Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so started the NFL in his late teens. He impressed while representing teams in Austria and Germany, as well as the national side, and was given a place on the IPP in that year.

The following year, he held the championship trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had action on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really welcoming environment, a great team, a great franchise.”

Despite devoting the majority of practice with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The better each one of us performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

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