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While the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to university in the US. Genuine international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s story exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating locally and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his plans to go to university in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up all over London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

It was here that he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to work with younger players from across the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a really active position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with international athletes who had never played the game. First-year rookies also have to build habits and routines: how to take care of their body and deal with a huge playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”

Does being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and need help in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Coming From Outside the US System

Originating from outside the American football world has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

International Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have usually been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before discovering American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not built for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while representing clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see action on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really welcoming culture, a great squad, a great organization.”

Despite spending most of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is always close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation outside the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who play football in Italy, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back