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Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by US-born players. Only 5% of players are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to college in the United States. True outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in England, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing locally and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his dreams to attend college in the US proved too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. Being 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 throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had never played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and routines: how to look after their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”

Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and need support in the same 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 other stuff melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than developing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been specialists, recruited from different sports. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before discovering the sport at university, has achieved that. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not built for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so took up American football in his teenage years. 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 that year.

The following year, he held the championship trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is being 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. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really welcoming culture, a excellent squad, a great franchise.”

Although devoting most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation outside the US. The more successful each one of us does, the more youth who play football in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to the US annually to coach the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return