The Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the United States
While the United States is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still led by US-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the game by attending college in the US. Genuine international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.
James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the League
Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and did not played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his plans to attend university in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d appear around 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 career before he set up the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable guys,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, like what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really active position, which is ideal for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had not played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish structure and routines: how to look after their body and deal with a huge playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Is being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style jokes and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the same things and require support in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they don’t care about your origin or what accent. And when players know that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”
Benefits of Coming From Beyond the US System
Coming from outside the American football world 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 the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the very top.
Foreign Players and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He impressed while representing teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.
A year later, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the 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 each team but is yet to see game time on the field. Is being a foreigner 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. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a great team, a great organization.”
Although devoting the majority of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is always close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida each year to coach the next wave of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back
