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Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is largely led by American-born players. Just 5% of players are foreign-born, and most of them step into the game by going to university in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing in his area and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Great Britain, but his plans to go to college in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping 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 one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to work with younger players from across the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, maximising time on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really active position, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the sport. First-year rookies also have to establish habits and routines: learning to look after their body and deal with a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Brit who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined 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 monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and require help in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Being Outside the US System

Originating from outside the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than nurturing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

International Athletes and Their Journeys

Foreign players have typically been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

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

Pircher’s experience is just as unlikely. At over two meters and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not built for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so took up the NFL 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 that year.

A year later, he held the championship trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the field. Is being a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very welcoming culture, a great team, a great franchise.”

Despite spending the majority of training with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is always very tight because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – played wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “In my view every nation beyond the United States. The more successful each one of us does, the greater number of young people who play football in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to train the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return