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Although the US is a country of newcomers, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Only five percent of players are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the sport by attending university in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating in his area and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his plans to attend college in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, working closely with medical staff, the head coach and GM. It’s a really active position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with international athletes who had never played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and schedules: how to take care of their health and handle a massive playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and need support in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when players know that you care, all the rest fades.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing international supporters than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who won the championship recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have usually been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and were 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 academy before finding the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s story is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out 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 championship trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is being a international player still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really welcoming environment, a excellent squad, a top organization.”

Despite devoting the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – played receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for a while at the Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “In my view all the countries outside the United States. The better every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who play football in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to train the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back