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While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely led by US-born players. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the game by attending university in the US. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing in his area and soon aspired to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Team GB, but his plans to attend college in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had stints with the Carolina 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 joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of 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 Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, like what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting rookies, optimizing time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a very active position, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had never played the sport. First-year rookies also have to build structure and schedules: how to look after their body and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and need help in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the rest fades.”

Benefits of Being Outside the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who claimed the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been kickers, recruited from different sports. Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and were not trained in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his preferred games, football and the sport, so started American football in his late teens. He stood out while representing teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams training team. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a excellent team, a top franchise.”

Although spending the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the United States. The better each one of us does, the greater number of young people who play football in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

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