The Athletes and Trainers Born Outside in the United States
While the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Only 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by attending university in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and never participated in professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his plans to go to university in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to NFL Coaching
Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, maximising efficiency on the practice field, working closely with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build structure and schedules: learning to look after their body and handle a massive game plan. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”
Is being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and require help in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when people know that you care, all the rest fades.”
Benefits of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble
Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a variety of experiences. 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 international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the elite level.
International Athletes and Their Paths
Foreign players have typically been kickers, recruited from different sports. Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at university, has achieved that. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while representing clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.
A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a excellent squad, a top franchise.”
Although devoting most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries beyond the US. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the greater number of youth who participate in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve experienced.”
The program alumni are welcomed to Florida each year to train the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return
