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Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the NFL is still led by US-born players. Just 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them step into the sport by going to university in the US. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and never played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing locally and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his dreams to attend college in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my shifts and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing 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 wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to get them into college football, like what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the training ground, working closely with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on role, which is ideal for me. My background was working with international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish structure and routines: learning to take care of their body and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an actual 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 say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and require help in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Advantages of Coming From Beyond the US System

Originating from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about rugby 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 staff from various origins, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the elite level.

International Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not trained in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s academy before discovering American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At over two meters and heavyweight, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his preferred games, football and handball, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really welcoming culture, a excellent squad, a great organization.”

Despite spending most of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “In my view every nation outside the US. The more successful each one of us does, the more youth who participate in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL internationals. “Almost all of us return