These Players and Coaches Not Born in the United States
Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the NFL is largely led by American-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to college in the United States. True outsiders are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.
James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the League
Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and never participated in pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and came across what he called a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating locally and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL quarterback from Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his dreams to go to college in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d appear all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”
This is where he met Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first British full-time coach in NFL annals, 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; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to train younger players from across the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with international athletes who had never played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and schedules: learning to take care of their body and deal with a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”
Does being an Englishman who never play 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 ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and need support in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they don’t care about your origin or what accent. And when players realize that you care, all the other stuff melts away.”
Benefits of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble
Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who claimed the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.
International Athletes and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been specialists, recruited from different sports. Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and did not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his preferred games, football and handball, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while representing teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in that year.
A year later, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the field. 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 inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive environment, a great team, a top franchise.”
Despite devoting most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Motivating the Future
Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only his home countries. “In my view every nation outside the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the greater number of young people who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in every day, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back