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While the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by American-born players. Only five percent of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the game by going to university in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the League

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, 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 “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Great Britain, but his plans to attend university in the US proved too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing 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 usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of 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; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to get them into college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and schedules: how to take care of their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a imagined barrier than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the same things and require help in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when people know that you care, all the rest fades.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the US System

Originating from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at producing foreign fans than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been specialists, recruited from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. 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.

Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s academy before discovering American football at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not built for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so started the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while representing teams in Europe and Germany, as well as the national side, and was offered a spot on the IPP in that year.

The following year, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very welcoming environment, a great team, a top franchise.”

Despite spending the majority of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the more youth who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back