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While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by US-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them step into the sport by attending university in the United States. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

Cook’s Surprising Path to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his plans to attend college in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear all over London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

It was here that he met Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Australia to train younger players from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, like what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, optimizing time on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had never played the sport. First-year newcomers also have to build habits and schedules: how to take care of their body and handle a massive game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”

Is being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and require help in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Advantages of Coming From Outside the US System

Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly curious. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have people from all sorts of backgrounds, a variety of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Players and Their Journeys

Foreign players have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so started American football in his late teens. He impressed while playing for teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was given 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 went on to have spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive environment, a excellent team, a top franchise.”

Despite devoting the majority of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The better every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who play football in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to the US annually to train the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back