These Athletes and Coaches Born Outside in the United States

While the US is a country of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by American-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them enter the sport by attending university in the US. Genuine outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his dreams to attend college in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. As 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 toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the 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 really interesting 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 introduce them to college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had not played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to build habits and schedules: how to look after their body and handle a huge game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”

Is 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 comments and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and require help in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when players realize that you are invested, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Being Beyond the US System

Coming from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are genuinely intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have people from various origins, a variety of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Players and Their Journeys

International athletes have typically been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did 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 academy before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so started American football in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “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, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very welcoming environment, a excellent team, a top organization.”

Although spending the majority of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he represents not only his home countries. “I would say every nation beyond the US. The better every IPP graduate does, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to the US each year to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return