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Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is still dominated by US-born players. Just five percent of participants are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by attending college in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and never played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing in his area and quickly aspired to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to attend university in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP 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 UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, optimizing time on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a very active position, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with international athletes who had never played the game. Rookie rookies also have to establish structure and schedules: how to look after their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived 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 monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and need help in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when people know that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have staff from all sorts of backgrounds, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Australia who won the championship earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the elite level.

Foreign Players and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been specialists, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team 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 Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so took up American football in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Detroit 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 action on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very welcoming culture, a excellent squad, a great franchise.”

Although devoting most of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only his home countries. “I would say every nation outside the United States. The better each one of us does, the greater number of youth who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to the US annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back