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While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by US-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them enter the game by attending college in the US. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are particularly rare, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.

James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing in his area and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his dreams to go to college in the US proved too expensive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my shifts and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d appear all over London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”

It was here that he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL

Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, maximising efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a very active position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with international athletes who had not played the game. Rookie rookies also have to build habits and routines: how to take care of their health and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”

Does being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style jokes and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and need help in the identical ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when players know that you are invested, all the rest fades.”

Advantages of Being Outside the NFL Bubble

Originating from beyond the American football world 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 build relationships. Teammates are genuinely intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have risen to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have usually been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s story is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not built for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, 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 training team. Pircher subsequently had spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the player. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very inclusive environment, a great squad, a great franchise.”

Despite devoting the majority of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation beyond the US. The more successful each one of us does, the greater number of young people who participate in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are welcomed to Florida each year to train the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return