The Athletes and Trainers Born Outside in the United States
Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely dominated by American-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them enter the sport by attending college in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s story exceptional.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing locally and quickly wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his plans to go to university in the US were financially prohibitive.
“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. 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 often buy me lunch.”
This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to train aspiring athletes from across the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL
Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, working closely with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on role, which is ideal for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had never played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and schedules: learning to take care of their health and handle a massive game plan. But also just being available for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”
Is being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and require help in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people realize that you care, all the rest fades.”
Advantages of Coming From Outside the US System
Coming 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 linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have staff from all sorts of backgrounds, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the championship earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.
International Athletes and Their Paths
International athletes have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for being a kicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Ayo 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 moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was clearly not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing teams in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?
“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a really inclusive environment, a great squad, a great organization.”
Despite devoting the majority of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Motivating the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he represents more than just Italy and Austria. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to the US each year to train the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return