These Players and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
While the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by American-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the sport by going to university in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James 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 extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and never participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” sport. He started playing locally and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his dreams to attend university in the US were financially prohibitive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up 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 Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he set up the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis 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 work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to NFL Coaching
Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to build structure and routines: learning to take care of their health and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and need support in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when people know that you are invested, all the other stuff fades.”
Benefits of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble
Originating from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra 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 foreign fans than developing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the very top.
International Players and Their Journeys
Foreign players have usually been specialists, recruited from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a kicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not educated in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in that year.
The following year, he held the championship trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very welcoming culture, a excellent team, a top franchise.”
Although devoting most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from all positions. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – played receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is conscious he represents not only his home countries. “In my view every nation outside the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the greater number of youth who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to Florida each year to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return
