These Players and Coaches Not Born in the USA
Although the US is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still dominated by US-born athletes. Only five percent of players are foreign-born, and most of them enter the sport by going to university in the US. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s story exceptional.
Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his father and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating locally and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Great Britain, but his plans to attend college in the US proved too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”
This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the International Player Pathway programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first British permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to train younger players from across the Pacific to get them into the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to NFL Coaching
Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting rookies, maximising time on the training ground, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My background was working with international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to establish habits and routines: learning to take care of their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and require help in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when people know that you are invested, all the rest fades.”
Advantages of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble
Coming from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are genuinely intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been more successful at producing international supporters than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby 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 elite level.
Foreign Athletes and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at university, has achieved that. 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 equally unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for teams in Austria 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 Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very welcoming environment, a great squad, a top franchise.”
Although devoting most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is conscious he represents more than just his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida annually to train the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back
