The Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the USA

Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by US-born players. Just 5% of players are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the game by going to college in the US. True international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Surprising Path to the League

Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating in his area and quickly aspired to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his plans to go to college in the US proved too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my schedule and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, like what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook made the jump from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish structure and schedules: how to look after their body and handle a massive game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Englishman who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined barrier than an real one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and need help in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or what accent. And when players realize that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”

Advantages of Coming From Beyond the US System

Originating from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have staff from various origins, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at producing foreign fans than developing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.

International Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and were not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before discovering American football at university, has achieved that. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his preferred games, football and the sport, so started the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while playing for teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the championship trophy as a member of the 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 late summer. He has been popular in each team but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they ask: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really inclusive culture, a great squad, a great franchise.”

Although spending the majority of training with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have friends from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only his home countries. “I would say every nation outside the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the more youth who participate in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida each year to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back