These Players and Trainers Born Outside in the USA
Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is largely led by American-born athletes. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by attending university in the US. Genuine international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.
Cook’s Unlikely 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 incredible considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and never played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his dreams to attend university in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people wanted me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up all over London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to train younger players from across the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, like what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to NFL Coaching
Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, optimizing time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had never played the sport. First-year rookies also have to establish structure and schedules: learning to look after their health and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and need help in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when people know that you are invested, all the other stuff fades.”
Benefits of Being Outside the NFL Bubble
Coming from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are genuinely curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have staff from various origins, a variety of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Australia who claimed the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.
International Players and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been specialists, recruited from different sports. Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for being 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 special teams player and did not educated 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 finding the sport at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not suited for his preferred games, soccer 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 national side, and was offered a spot 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 spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is being a foreigner still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive environment, a excellent team, a top franchise.”
Despite devoting most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – was a wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”
Motivating the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he represents more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the United States. The better each one of us performs, the more young people who play football in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”
The program alumni are welcomed to the US each year to coach the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back