🔗 Share this article

Although the US is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is still dominated by American-born players. Only five percent of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to college in the United States. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and never played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Team GB, but his dreams to go to university in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would adjust 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 appear all over London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

It was here that he met Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming 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 really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, like what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is perfect for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had not played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to build structure and routines: how to look after their body and handle a huge game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and require 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 are invested, all the other stuff fades.”

Advantages of Being Outside the US System

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have people from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the elite level.

International Players and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, 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 field. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a very welcoming culture, a excellent squad, a top franchise.”

Despite devoting most of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The more successful each one of us does, the more youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to train the new group of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return