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Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by American-born players. Just 5% of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to college in the US. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the League

Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing locally and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his dreams to attend college in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

It was here that he met Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, maximising time on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the game. Rookie rookies also have to build structure and routines: how to take care of their body and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and require support in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when players realize that you are invested, all the rest melts away.”

Advantages of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are truly curious. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than nurturing global talent. 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 made it to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s academy before discovering the sport at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was clearly not suited for his preferred games, football and handball, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a really welcoming culture, a great squad, a top organization.”

Although spending the majority of practice with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played 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, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation outside the US. The better each one of us performs, the greater number of young people who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s nice to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to the US annually to coach the new group of potential NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return