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Although the US is a country of newcomers, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Just 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them enter the sport by attending university in the United States. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and never played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his dreams to go to university in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my schedule and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP program in 2017 with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to get them into college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My background was working with international athletes who had not played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build structure and routines: how to take care of their health and deal with a huge playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. 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 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 Beyond the US System

Coming from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have people from various origins, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the very top.

International Players and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been kickers, recruited from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance 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 Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so took up American football in his teenage years. He impressed while representing clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes 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 his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a excellent squad, a great organization.”

Although spending most of training with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my best man, in fact – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for a while at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries beyond the United States. The better each one of us performs, the greater number of young people who play football in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to coach the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back