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While the US is a country of immigrants, the National Football League is largely dominated by American-born players. Only five percent of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by attending university in the United States. True outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.

Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing locally and quickly wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, 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. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would switch my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and 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 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, working with some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train younger players from across the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, like what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a really active position, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had never played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build habits and routines: learning to take care of their body and handle a huge game plan. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an real one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the same things and require 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 know that you care, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble

Coming from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different 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 former rugby player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

International Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been specialists, brought in from different sports. Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not trained in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

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

Pircher’s story is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not suited for his preferred games, football and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a excellent squad, a great organization.”

Although devoting most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is conscious he represents not only his home countries. “I would say every nation outside the US. The more successful each one of us does, the more youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to Florida each year to train the next wave of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back