The Players and Trainers Born Outside in the United States
While the United States is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still led by American-born athletes. Only 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by going to college in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.
Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and never played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing in his area and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to university in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to train younger players from across the Pacific to get them into the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to NFL Coaching
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish habits and schedules: learning to take care of their body and handle a huge game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”
Does being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people realize that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”
Advantages of Being Outside the US System
Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who won the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.
Foreign Athletes and Their Paths
Foreign players have typically been specialists, recruited from different sports. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did 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 academy before finding 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 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He stood out while representing clubs 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 had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a challenge?
“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really inclusive environment, a excellent team, a great organization.”
Although spending most of training with his other linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “In my view every nation outside the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The program alumni are welcomed to the US annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back
