🔗 Share this article

Although the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still led by US-born athletes. Only 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by attending university in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and never played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to college in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my shifts and assist. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear all over London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train younger players from across the Pacific to get them into college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising time on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a very hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had never played the game. Rookie rookies also have to establish habits and routines: learning to take care of their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and need support in the same ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System

Coming from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have people from various origins, a variety of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at producing foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before discovering American football at university, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while playing for teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a great squad, a top franchise.”

Although devoting most of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – was a receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The better each one of us does, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of youngsters hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return