These Players and Coaches Not Born in the USA
Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the NFL is largely led by American-born athletes. Just five percent of players are foreign-born, and most of them step into the game by attending college in the United States. True outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the NFL
Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and never played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Great Britain, but his plans to go to university in the US were financially prohibitive.
“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and assist. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”
It was here that he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to work with younger players from around the Pacific to get them into college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to NFL Coaching
Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting rookies, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on role, which is ideal for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had not played the sport. First-year rookies also have to establish habits and schedules: learning to look after their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”
Is being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a imagined barrier than an real one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style jokes and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the same things and need help in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people know that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”
Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System
Coming from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, 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. People are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.
Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys
International athletes have typically been specialists, brought in from different sports. Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.
Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not built for his preferred games, football and handball, so started American football in his late teens. He impressed while representing teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is yet to see action on the field. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really welcoming environment, a great team, a great franchise.”
Although devoting most of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – was a wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Motivating the Future
Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “In my view all the countries outside the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the greater number of young people who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to the US annually to coach the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back
