The Athletes and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
Although the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by American-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them enter the sport by attending university in the United States. Genuine outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary given he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as playing for Great Britain, but his plans to go to university in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people wanted me, I would switch my shifts and help out. 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 throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”
It was here that he met Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he set up the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first British full-time coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training foreign players to joining the NFL. “The Browns contacted me out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting younger players, maximising time on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had not played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to build habits and routines: how to take care of their health and handle a huge game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Is being an Brit who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and require support in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when players realize that you care, all the other stuff fades.”
Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System
Originating from outside the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have people from all sorts of backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than developing foreign players. Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have risen to the very top.
International Athletes and Their Journeys
International athletes have typically been specialists, brought in from different sports. Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did 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 American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not built for his preferred games, football and handball, so started the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while playing for teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in that year.
The following year, he held the championship trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined 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 gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really inclusive environment, a excellent team, a great franchise.”
Although devoting most of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – was a wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the US. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida each year to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return
