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Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Only five percent of players are foreign-born, and most of them enter the sport by going to university in the United States. True outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s story exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League

Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and never played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his plans to attend college in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first British permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, maximising time on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had not played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to build habits and routines: how to take care of their health and handle a huge game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”

Does being an Brit who never compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a imagined barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and require support in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people know that you care, all the other stuff melts away.”

Advantages of Being Outside the US System

Coming from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have people from various origins, a variety of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Players and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at university, has achieved that. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not built for his favoured sports, football and handball, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered 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 Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see action on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a great squad, a great franchise.”

Although spending the majority of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from all positions. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – was a receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the more youth who play football in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida each year to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back