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Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by US-born players. Just five percent of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the sport by attending university in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.

Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the League

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He started playing in his area and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his plans to attend university in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear all over 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 stints with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, like what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, optimizing time on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had never played the game. First-year rookies also have to build structure and routines: learning to take care of their health and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an real 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 monitoring my language. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and require help in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when people realize that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Advantages of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke 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 loves it. You make those connections and build relationships. People are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

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

International Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union 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 very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before discovering American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive environment, a great team, a top organization.”

Although devoting the majority of training with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is always close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who participate in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to train the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us return