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While the US is a country of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by American-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by going to university in the US. True outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s story exceptional.

Cook’s Unlikely Path to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and never participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating in his area and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his plans to attend university in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped 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 one thing I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear all over London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to get them into college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, maximising efficiency on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a really active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. First-year rookies also have to build habits and routines: learning to look after their health and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style jokes 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 stressed about the same things and require help in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or what accent. And when players realize that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”

Advantages of Being Beyond the US System

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of upbringings. Our saying 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 international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who won the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

International athletes have usually been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for becoming a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not built for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a great team, a great franchise.”

Despite devoting most of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is always close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only his home countries. “In my view every nation beyond the United States. The more successful each one of us does, the more young people who participate in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to Florida each year to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return