The Players and Coaches Not Born in the USA
While the United States is a country of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by US-born players. Just five percent of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the sport by attending college in the US. Genuine international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and never played professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing in his area and quickly wanted to become the first NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to university in the US were too expensive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. Being 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 wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”
This is where he met Aden Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to introduce them to college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL
Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, maximising efficiency 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 experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the game. First-year rookies also have to build habits and routines: how to take care of their body and handle a massive game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”
Is being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and need 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 players know that you care, all the rest fades.”
Benefits of Being Outside the US System
Coming from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are genuinely intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have people from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the very top.
International Athletes and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and did not trained in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was clearly not built for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so took up American football in his late teens. He stood out while playing for clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a part of the LA Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?
“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a excellent squad, a top organization.”
Despite spending the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for a while at the Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The better every IPP graduate performs, the greater number of young people who participate in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The program alumni are welcomed to Florida each year to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back