These Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the USA
While the United States is a country of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by American-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the game by attending college in the United States. True outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.
Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL
Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and never played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and quickly wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his plans to go to college in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. 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 usually get me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to work with younger players from across the Pacific to get them into the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL
Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called 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 general manager. It’s a very active position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had not played the sport. First-year newcomers also have to establish habits and routines: how to look after their body and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure 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 how you speak. And when players know that you care, all the rest fades.”
Advantages of Being Beyond the US System
Coming from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have staff from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the championship earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.
Foreign Players and Their Journeys
International athletes have usually been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the 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 played for Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at university, has achieved that. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was clearly not built for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so took up American football in his late teens. He impressed while representing teams in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in that year.
A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a excellent squad, a top franchise.”
Despite devoting most of training with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Motivating the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries beyond the US. The better every IPP graduate does, the greater number of young people who play football in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida each year to coach the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return
