These Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the United States
While the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by American-born players. Just five percent of participants are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by attending university in the US. Genuine international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.
Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he grew up in Surrey, 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 father and stumbled upon what he described as a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to attend college in the US were too expensive.
“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts 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 around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of 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 Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, like what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a really active position, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to build structure and routines: how to look after their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being present for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”
Is being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and require support in the same ways. If players understand you can help them, they don’t care about your origin or what accent. And when people know that you care, all the rest melts away.”
Benefits of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble
Coming from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have staff from various origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the very top.
Foreign Athletes and Their Paths
International athletes have typically been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and did not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s academy before discovering the sport at university, has achieved that. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At over two meters and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not built for his favoured sports, football and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Austria and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in that year.
The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the LA Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota 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 foreigner still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really welcoming culture, a great squad, a top franchise.”
Although spending the majority of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously 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 Packers, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is aware he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “I would say every nation beyond the United States. The more successful each one of us does, the greater number of youth who participate in Italy, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The program alumni are welcomed to the US annually to train the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return
