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While the US is a country of immigrants, the National Football League is largely dominated by American-born players. Only 5% of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the game by attending college in the US. True outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and never played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and soon aspired to become the first NFL quarterback born in 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, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. Being 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 usually get me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP program in 2017 with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first British permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to work with younger players from across the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a very hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had not played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish habits and routines: learning to take care of their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘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 how you speak. And when people realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Advantages of Being Beyond the US System

Originating from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a variety of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Australia who claimed the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the very top.

International Players and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s academy before discovering the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was clearly not built for his preferred games, football and handball, so took up American football in his teenage years. He impressed 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 had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a very welcoming environment, a great team, a great organization.”

Despite devoting the majority of practice with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is always very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – was a receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is conscious he represents not only his home countries. “In my view every nation beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the greater number of young people who participate in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to Florida annually to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back