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While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is largely led by American-born players. Just five percent of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the sport by going to college in the United States. True outsiders are rare, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing in his area and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to college in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill 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 usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train younger players from across the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the training ground, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a very hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had never played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to build structure and schedules: learning to look after their body and handle a massive game plan. But also just being available for players. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”

Is being an Englishman who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when players realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Coming from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly curious. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at producing foreign fans than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who claimed the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

International Athletes and Their Journeys

Foreign players have usually been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not trained 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 finding 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 story is just as improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while playing for teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams training team. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is being 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 doesn’t really matter. At first, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a great squad, a top organization.”

Although spending most of training with his fellow offensive 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 mates from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – was a receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation beyond the US. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding 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 come back