The Players and Trainers Not Born in the USA
While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is still led by US-born players. Only five percent of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the game by attending university in the United States. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.
Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League
Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and never participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his plans to attend university in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever 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 show up around London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”
It was here that he met Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP program in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to train younger players from across the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had never played the sport. First-year newcomers also have to build structure and routines: how to take care of their body and handle a huge game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Is being an Englishman who never play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and need support in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care about your origin or what accent. And when people know that you are invested, all the rest melts away.”
Benefits of Being Beyond the US System
Originating from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have staff from various origins, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than developing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who won the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the elite level.
Foreign Players and Their Journeys
International athletes have typically been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not educated in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not built for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for teams in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.
A year later, he held the championship trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is being a international player still a challenge?
“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really inclusive environment, a excellent squad, a top organization.”
Despite spending the majority of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, 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.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of young people who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return
