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While the US is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is still led by US-born athletes. Only five percent of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the game by attending university in the US. True outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the League

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and never played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing in his area and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his plans to go to university in the US proved too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing 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 didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first British permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to train younger players from around 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 international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising time on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with international athletes who had not played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and schedules: how to take care of their body and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”

Is being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and require help in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they don’t care where you’re from or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Advantages of Being Outside the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the American football world has its advantages. “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 enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are truly curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a variety of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

Foreign players have usually been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

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

Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not built for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while representing clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the national side, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really welcoming environment, a great squad, a great franchise.”

Although spending most of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return