The Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the USA

While the United States is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is still dominated by American-born athletes. Only five percent of players are foreign-born, and most of them step into the game by going to college in the US. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to university in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my schedule and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up all over London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

It was here that he met Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first British full-time 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; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to train younger players from around the Pacific region to get them into college football, like what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a very hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had never played the game. First-year rookies also have to build habits and routines: learning to look after their health and handle a huge game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Does being an Brit who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I get 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 say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and require support in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the rest fades.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble

Originating from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.

International Athletes and Their Paths

Foreign players have usually been specialists, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for English clubs for being a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not built for his preferred games, football and the sport, so started the NFL in his late teens. He stood out 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 championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Lions, 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 game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really inclusive environment, a excellent squad, a top franchise.”

Despite devoting most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “I would say all the countries beyond the United States. The better each one of us performs, the greater number of youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to coach the next wave of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back