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Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is still led by American-born athletes. Only 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them enter the sport by going to college in the United States. Genuine outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL

Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his father and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to college in the US were too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. 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 usually get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to train younger players from across the Pacific region to get them into college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, maximising time on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build habits and schedules: learning to take care of their health and handle a massive playbook. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”

Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and need help in the same ways. If players know 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 rest melts away.”

Advantages of Being Outside the NFL Bubble

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have people from various origins, a variety of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who won the championship earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the elite level.

International Players and Their Journeys

International athletes have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is just as unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not suited for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so started American football in his late teens. He stood out while playing for clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in that year.

The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really welcoming culture, a excellent squad, a top organization.”

Although devoting most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for a while at the Rams. QBs, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “I would say every nation outside the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who participate 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 lot of youngsters hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return