The Players and Coaches Not Born in the USA
Although the United States is a nation of newcomers, the NFL is still led by American-born players. Only five percent of players are born abroad, and most of them enter the game by attending university in the United States. True international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the League
Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” game. He started playing locally and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his dreams to go to college in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust 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 wasn’t paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a very active position, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to establish habits and schedules: how to look after their health and handle a massive playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Englishman who never compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and require help in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when players realize that you are invested, all the other stuff fades.”
Benefits of Being Outside the NFL Bubble
Coming from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.
Foreign Players and Their Journeys
International athletes have typically been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at university, has made that step. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his preferred games, soccer and handball, so started American football in his late teens. He impressed while playing for clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.
A year later, 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 Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the late summer. 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 doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a great team, a top franchise.”
Although devoting the majority of training with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation beyond the US. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the more youth who play football in Italy, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US annually to coach the next wave of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back
