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While the US is a country of newcomers, the NFL is largely led by American-born athletes. Only five percent of players are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the game by going to college in the US. True international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League

Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and never participated in pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and came across what he called a “strange and amazing” sport. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to college in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. Being 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 wasn’t paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first UK permanent coach in NFL history, 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; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to train younger players from around the Pacific region to get them into college football, similar to what I wanted 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 explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with international athletes who had not played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build structure and routines: how to look after their body and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style jokes and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and need support in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble

Coming from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not trained in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his preferred games, football and the sport, so took up American football in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the national side, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a excellent squad, a great franchise.”

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

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The better each one of us performs, the more youth who participate in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida each year to train the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back