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While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still led by US-born players. Only 5% of players are foreign-born, and most of them step into the sport by attending college in the US. Genuine international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League

Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and never participated in pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing locally and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his dreams to attend college in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust 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 all over London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to get them into college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very active position, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the game. First-year rookies also have to establish habits and routines: learning to look after their body and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. 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,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and need support in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when people know that you are invested, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the American football world has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have people from various origins, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been specialists, recruited from different sports. Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and did not trained in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was clearly not built for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He impressed while representing teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given 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 subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is being a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really inclusive culture, a excellent squad, a top organization.”

Despite devoting most of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only his home countries. “In my view every nation beyond the United States. The better every IPP graduate does, the more young people who play football in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

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