While the US is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by US-born athletes. Just 5% of players are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the game by going to college in the United States. True outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s story exceptional.
Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and quickly wanted to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his dreams to attend university in the US proved too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”
This is where he met Aden Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Kansas City 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 staff at the Falcons, becoming the first British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to work with younger players from around the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I wanted to do.”
Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, optimizing time on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had never played the game. First-year newcomers also have to establish habits and routines: how to look after their body and handle a huge playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”
Does being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and require help in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when people realize that you care, all the other stuff melts away.”
Originating from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a variety 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 producing international supporters than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.
International athletes have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before discovering the sport at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was clearly not built for his favoured sports, football and handball, so started American football in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, 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 Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined 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 field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?
“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very welcoming environment, a great squad, a great organization.”
Although spending the majority of training with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is always very tight because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my best man, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the more youth who participate in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in every day, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The program alumni are welcomed to the US annually to train the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back
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