The Players and Coaches Born Outside in the United States

Although the US is a country of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are born abroad, and most of them enter the game by going to college in the US. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.

Cook’s Unlikely Path to the NFL

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” sport. He started playing locally and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his dreams to attend college in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling 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 throw. 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 usually get me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP program in that year with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting rookies, optimizing time on the practice field, collaborating with medical staff, the head coach and general manager. It’s a really active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was working with international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish structure and routines: learning to look after their health and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being available for players. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and require support in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Advantages of Being Outside the US System

Originating from outside the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than people think. We have staff from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than developing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

Foreign players have usually been specialists, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at university, has achieved that. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not built for his preferred games, football and the sport, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing teams in Europe and Germany, as well as the national side, and was given a place on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have spells 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 well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is being a foreigner still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a great squad, a great organization.”

Despite devoting the majority of practice with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is always very tight because we are a group and united, but we have friends from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – played 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, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation beyond the US. The more successful each one of us does, the more youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, 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 Florida each year to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back