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Although the United States is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and most of them enter the sport by going to university in the US. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from 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, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my schedule and help out. Being 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 throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had never played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build habits and schedules: learning to look after their health and deal with a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and need support in the same ways. If players understand you can help them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside 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 offensive linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have staff from various origins, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who claimed the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

International Players and Their Paths

International athletes have usually been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for being a kicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not educated in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s academy before discovering American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in that year.

The following year, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive environment, a excellent team, a great organization.”

Despite devoting most of training with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the more youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to train the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back