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Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the NFL is still dominated by American-born players. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them step into the game by attending university in the US. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s story exceptional.

Cook’s Surprising Path to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to university in the US were too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up all over London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, like what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL

Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting rookies, optimizing time on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on role, which is perfect 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: how to look after their body and handle a massive game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and require support in the identical ways. If players know you can help 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 Being Beyond the US System

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are genuinely intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the elite level.

International Athletes and Their Journeys

Foreign players have usually been specialists, recruited from different sports. Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before discovering the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He impressed while representing clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was given a spot on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a part of the LA Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really inclusive environment, a excellent squad, a top franchise.”

Although spending the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is always very tight because we are a group and united, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view all the countries outside the United States. The more successful each one of us performs, the greater number of young people who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida each year to train the next wave of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back