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Although the US is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is largely dominated by American-born players. Just 5% of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the game by going to college in the US. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not 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 wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his plans to go to university in the US were too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my schedule and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden 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 Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to get them into the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on role, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and schedules: learning to look after their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”

Does being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the same things and need help in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the US System

Coming from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed 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. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have people from various origins, a variety of experiences. 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 Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the elite level.

International Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have usually been specialists, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming 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.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before discovering American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his preferred games, football and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He impressed while representing clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was given 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 spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and 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 being a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really welcoming culture, a excellent squad, a great franchise.”

Despite spending most of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is always close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – was a receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The more successful each one of us performs, the more youth who play football in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida each year to coach the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return