These Players and Coaches Not Born in the United States
Although the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by American-born athletes. Just five percent of participants are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by attending university in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.
James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL
For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating in his area and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his plans to attend college in the US proved too expensive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people 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 around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”
This is where he met Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, making history as the first British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, like what I had hoped to do.”
Transitioning to NFL Coaching
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, optimizing time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really active position, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with international athletes who had never played the sport. First-year rookies also have to establish structure and routines: how to look after their health and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style jokes and many players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when players know that you care, all the rest melts away.”
Benefits of Coming From Beyond the US System
Coming from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and build relationships. People are genuinely intrigued. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have people from various origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who claimed the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the elite level.
Foreign Athletes and Their Paths
Foreign players have usually been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance 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 Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his preferred games, football and the sport, so took up American football in his late teens. He stood out while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, 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 Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is yet to see action on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a great team, a top franchise.”
Despite devoting most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Motivating the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he represents more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation beyond the United States. The better each one of us does, the greater number of youth who play football in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”
The program alumni are all invited to Florida each year to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us return
