The Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the USA

Although the United States is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by American-born players. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by going to college in the United States. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s story exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his plans to attend university in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping 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 pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up all over London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he met Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP program in 2017 with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL

Like Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a really active role, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had never played the sport. First-year newcomers also have to build habits and routines: learning to look after their health and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Englishman who never play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and need support 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 people know that you are invested, all the rest melts away.”

Advantages of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and form friendships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so embrace 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 player from Australia who won the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England 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 extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before discovering American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not built for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see action on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. 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 very inclusive culture, a great squad, a top organization.”

Despite devoting the majority of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my best man, in fact – was a receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is conscious he represents more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The more successful each one of us performs, the greater number of young people who play football in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to train the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back