These Players and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
Although the United States is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is still dominated by US-born players. Only 5% of participants are born abroad, and most of them enter the sport by attending college in the United States. True outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.
Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the League
Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and never played professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his dad and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback from Europe. He got as far as playing for Team GB, but his dreams to attend college in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my shifts and help out. As 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 wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”
It was here that he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting rookies, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a very active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build habits and routines: how to take care of their body and handle a huge playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”
Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when people know that you care, all the rest melts away.”
Advantages of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble
Originating from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have staff from various origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who won the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the very top.
Foreign Players and Their Paths
Foreign players have usually been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and did not trained in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at university, has achieved that. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so started the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Europe and Europe, 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 part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see action on the field. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?
“It isn’t 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 – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a great squad, a great franchise.”
Despite devoting the majority of practice with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Motivating the Future
Pircher is conscious he represents more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the more youth who play football in Italy, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many youngsters contacting me, asking for tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The program alumni are welcomed to Florida annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL internationals. “Almost all of us return
