The Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the United States
While the US is a nation of newcomers, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born players. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the sport by going to college in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.
Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and did not played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to attend university in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear all over London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”
It was here that he met 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 Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to work with younger players from across the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”
Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL
Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the training ground, working closely with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had never played the game. Rookie rookies also have to build habits and schedules: how to look after their body and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and need support in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when people realize that you are invested, all the rest fades.”
Advantages of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble
Originating from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are genuinely curious. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have people from various origins, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.
Foreign Athletes and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been kickers, recruited from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union 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 extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and handball, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He impressed 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 subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the field. Is being a foreigner still a hurdle?
“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they ask: ‘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 team, a top franchise.”
Despite spending the majority of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – played receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Motivating the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation beyond the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the greater number of young people who play football in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back
