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While the United States is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by US-born athletes. Only 5% of players are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the sport by attending university in the US. True international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s story exceptional.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to college in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would switch my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d appear around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he says. “We had 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 aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head 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. Rookie newcomers also have to establish habits and schedules: learning to take care of their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy 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,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and need help in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care about your origin or what accent. And when people know that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than developing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who won the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the very top.

International Athletes and Their Paths

International athletes have usually been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

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

Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so started American football in his late teens. He stood out while playing for clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a excellent team, a great organization.”

Despite devoting the majority of practice with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is always very tight because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida annually to train the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back