These Players and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
Although the United States is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by US-born players. Just 5% of players are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the sport by attending college in the US. True international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.
James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing in his area and quickly aspired to become the first NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his plans to attend college in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to introduce them to college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to build structure and routines: how to look after their health and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”
Is being an Englishman who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style 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 under pressure about the similar things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when people realize that you are invested, all the rest fades.”
Benefits of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble
Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a variety of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than developing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.
International Athletes and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been specialists, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s story is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his preferred games, football and the sport, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.
A year later, he held the championship trophy as a member of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had action on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?
“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really inclusive culture, a excellent squad, a top organization.”
Despite devoting most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is always close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “In my view every nation outside the United States. The better every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who participate in Europe, in Germany, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in every day, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to the US each year to train the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back