These Athletes and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
While the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is largely dominated by US-born players. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and most of them enter the game by going to university in the United States. Genuine outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and did not played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating in his area and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his dreams to attend college in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people 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 often buy me lunch.”
This is where he met Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to get them into the US college system, like what I had hoped to do.”
Transitioning to NFL Coaching
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, optimizing time on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a really hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had never played the game. First-year newcomers also have to establish structure and schedules: learning to look after their body and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Englishman who never play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the similar things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when people know that you care, all the rest fades.”
Benefits of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble
Originating from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra 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 attracting foreign fans than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Sydney who won the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the very top.
Foreign Players and Their Journeys
International athletes have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and were not educated in the American 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 discovering American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He stood out while representing teams in Austria and Germany, as well as the national side, and was given a spot on the IPP in that year.
The following year, he held the championship trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see action on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the player. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really inclusive environment, a great team, a great organization.”
Although spending most of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “In my view every nation outside the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, 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 encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The program alumni are welcomed to the US each year to train the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return
