These Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the USA
Although the United States is a country of immigrants, the NFL is still led by US-born players. Just 5% of participants are born abroad, and most of them enter the sport by attending university in the US. Genuine international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s story exceptional.
Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his dreams to go to university in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”
This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days 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 permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the sport. First-year newcomers also have to build structure and routines: learning to look after their body and deal with a huge playbook. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Brit who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style jokes and many players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and require help in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when players know that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”
Benefits of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble
Coming from beyond the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are genuinely intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl recently 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 usually been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and were not trained in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was clearly not suited for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a part of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?
“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really inclusive environment, a excellent team, a top organization.”
Despite spending the majority of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is always very tight because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my best man, actually – was a receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Motivating the Future
Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the US. The better each one of us performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back
