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While the United States is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by American-born players. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them step into the sport by going to college in the United States. True outsiders are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the League

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and never played professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and came across what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his plans to attend university in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill 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 wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to train aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to get them into the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and GM. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build habits and routines: learning to take care of their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and need support in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or what accent. And when people know that you care, all the rest fades.”

Benefits of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble

Coming from outside the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have people from various origins, a variety of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing international supporters than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the very top.

International Players and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and did not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before discovering American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. 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 unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not built for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so took up American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Detroit 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 yet to see action on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very welcoming environment, a great team, a great organization.”

Although devoting most of practice with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation beyond the US. The better every IPP graduate does, the more young people who participate in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

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