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Although the US is a country of immigrants, the NFL is largely led by US-born players. Only 5% of participants are born abroad, and most of them enter the sport by going to college in the US. True international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s story remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and did not played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” sport. He started playing in his area and quickly aspired to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his dreams to attend university in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up all over London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he established the International Player Pathway programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting rookies, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had not played the game. Rookie rookies also have to build habits and schedules: how to look after their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for players. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an actual one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and need help in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when players realize 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 spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have people from various origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than developing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the very top.

International Players and Their Journeys

International athletes have usually been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not trained in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville 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 preferred games, soccer and handball, so started the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the national side, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the field. Is being a international player still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a great squad, a great franchise.”

Although spending most of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is conscious he represents more than just Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation beyond the US. The better each one of us performs, the more young people who play football in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to the US annually to train the new group of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back