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Although the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by American-born athletes. Just 5% of players are foreign-born, and most of them step into the game by going to college in the US. True international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the League

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Team GB, but his dreams to attend university in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Falcons, making history as the first British full-time coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to train younger players from across the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had not played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and routines: how to look after their health and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style jokes and many players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and require help in the same 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 are invested, all the other stuff fades.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and build relationships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at producing foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Australia who won the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

Foreign players have typically been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He played in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is just as unlikely. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his preferred games, football and the sport, so took up American football in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for teams in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really inclusive culture, a excellent team, a top organization.”

Although spending most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the US. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of young people who play football in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to coach the next wave of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back