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While the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is still led by US-born athletes. Just five percent of participants are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by attending university in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and never participated in pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating in his area and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to college in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. 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 toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific to get them into the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, optimizing time on the training ground, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to build habits and schedules: learning to look after their body and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and require support in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when people realize that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have people from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of upbringings. 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 foreign fans than developing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

International Players and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been specialists, recruited from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta 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 advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at university, has achieved that. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, football and handball, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for teams in Austria and Germany, 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 member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very welcoming environment, a great team, a top franchise.”

Although spending most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he represents not only his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The more successful each one of us does, the more youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back