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Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still led by American-born players. Only five percent of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to university in the United States. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to university in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to train younger players from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, like what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook made the jump from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, optimizing time on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the game. First-year rookies also have to establish structure and schedules: how to take care of their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and many 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 identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when players realize that you are invested, all the rest melts away.”

Benefits of Being Beyond the US System

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. People are genuinely curious. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a variety of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

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

International Players and Their Journeys

Foreign players have typically been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for being a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not trained in the American 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 made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was clearly not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the national side, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the championship trophy as a member of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a great team, a great organization.”

Although devoting the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The better each one of us performs, the greater number of youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US annually to coach the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back