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Although the United States is a country of immigrants, the National Football League is largely led by American-born athletes. Only 5% of players are foreign-born, and most of them step into the sport by attending university in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL

Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and never played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to university in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my shifts and help out. 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 wasn’t 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 playing days before he set up the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to get them into the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, working closely with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really active position, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the game. First-year rookies also have to establish habits and routines: how to take care of their health and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and require support in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people know that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”

Benefits of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have people from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the elite level.

Foreign Players and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been specialists, recruited from different sports. Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and did not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding American football 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.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not built for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so took up American football in his late teens. He impressed while representing clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a excellent team, a top organization.”

Although devoting the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say all the countries outside the US. The better every IPP graduate performs, the greater number of youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back