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Although the United States is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is still led by American-born players. Just 5% of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the sport by attending college in the US. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment 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 dad and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He started playing in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He got as far as playing for Great Britain, but his plans to go to college in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys wanted 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 toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the sport. First-year rookies also have to establish habits and routines: how to look after their health and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an real one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and require support in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when people realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Advantages of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside 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 the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and form friendships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a range 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 producing international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Australia who won the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

International Players and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans 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 advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s academy before discovering the sport at university, has made that step. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so started the NFL in his late teens. He impressed while representing teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a spot on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” says 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, once we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a excellent squad, a great organization.”

Although devoting the majority of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is always very tight because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – 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 Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is conscious he represents not only his home countries. “In my view every nation beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to the US annually to train the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return