The Athletes and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
While the US is a nation of newcomers, the NFL is largely dominated by American-born players. Just five percent of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the game by attending university in the United States. True outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.
Cook’s Unlikely Path to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and did not played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his dreams to attend university in the US were financially prohibitive.
“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d show up all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP program in that year with two-time Super Bowl 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 annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to work with aspiring athletes 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 transitioned from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting rookies, maximising time on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had never played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to establish habits and routines: how to take care of their health and handle a massive game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”
Advantages of Coming From Beyond the US System
Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have staff from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the championship earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the very top.
Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys
Foreign players have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming 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 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.
Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so started the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.
A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team 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. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a great team, a great franchise.”
Despite devoting most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix 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 close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – was a wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “In my view every nation beyond the United States. The better every IPP graduate does, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to coach the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return
