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While the United States is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still led by American-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the game by going to university in the US. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and never played 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” sport. He began participating in his area and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his dreams to go to college in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, maximising time on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had not played the sport. First-year newcomers also have to establish structure and routines: learning to take care of their body and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style jokes and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and need support in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care about your origin or what accent. And when players realize that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”

Advantages of Being Beyond the US System

Coming from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than developing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

International athletes have usually been specialists, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham 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 aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not educated in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding 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 Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not built for his favoured sports, football and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery 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 action on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a hurdle?

“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 inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very welcoming environment, a great squad, a great organization.”

Despite spending the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently 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 wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is conscious he represents not only Italy and Austria. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The better each one of us does, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to the US each year to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Almost all of us return