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Although the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is still dominated by American-born players. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the game by attending college in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and did not played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing in his area and quickly aspired to become the first NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his plans 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 needed me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d show up all over London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever British 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 specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to train aspiring athletes from across the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting rookies, optimizing time on the training ground, working closely with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very active position, which is ideal for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had never played the game. Rookie rookies also have to establish habits and routines: how to look after their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Brit who did not 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 jokes 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 same things and need help in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or what accent. And when people realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System

Coming from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have staff from various origins, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who won the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Players and Their Journeys

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 transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at university, has achieved that. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so started American football in his late teens. He impressed while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the national side, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really inclusive environment, a great team, a top franchise.”

Although spending most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – was a receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who play football in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida each year to train the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back