The Players and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
Although the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still led by American-born athletes. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the sport by attending college in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and did not played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his dreams to go to university in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. 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 throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”
This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to train aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to get them into college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to coaching in 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 perfect for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. First-year newcomers also have to establish habits and schedules: learning to take care of their health and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”
Does being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the same things and require support in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or what accent. And when players realize that you are invested, all the rest fades.”
Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System
Coming from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of experiences. Our mantra 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 foreign fans than developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the elite level.
International Players and Their Paths
Foreign players have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. 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 finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. 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 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, football and handball, so took up American football in his late teens. He impressed while playing for teams in Europe and Germany, 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 Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team but is yet to see game time on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?
“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. 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 environment, a excellent team, a top franchise.”
Although spending most of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”
Motivating the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he represents not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The better each one of us does, the more youth who play football in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”
The program alumni are all invited to Florida each year to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back
