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While the United States is a country of newcomers, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born players. Only five percent of participants are foreign-born, and most of them step into the sport by attending university in the US. Genuine international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the League

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and never participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Team GB, but his plans to go to university in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

It was here that he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP program in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to get them into the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with international athletes who had never played the game. First-year rookies also have to establish habits and schedules: how to look after their health and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Brit who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and require support in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when people realize that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Benefits of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and form friendships. Teammates are genuinely intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have staff from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the very top.

Foreign Players and Their Journeys

Foreign players have typically been kickers, recruited from different sports. Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and did not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at university, has made that step. He competed in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s story is equally unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his preferred games, football and handball, so took up American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Germany, 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 Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they ask: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really inclusive environment, a great squad, a great organization.”

Despite devoting the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the United States. The better each one of us performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida each year to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back