The Players and Trainers Not Born in the USA
While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still led by American-born athletes. Just 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by going to university in the US. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey exceptional.
James Cook’s Unlikely Path to the NFL
Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he called a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his dreams to go to college in the US were financially prohibitive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my shifts and assist. Being 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 wasn’t paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”
This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to train younger players from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”
Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL
Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from training international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. First-year rookies also have to establish structure and routines: learning to take care of their body and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an actual one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style jokes and loads of players refer to me as ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘garbage 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 assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or what accent. And when players realize that you are invested, all the rest melts away.”
Benefits of Coming From Beyond the NFL Bubble
Originating from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have people from various backgrounds, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who won the championship earlier this year with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.
International Players and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and did not educated in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not built for his preferred games, football and handball, so took up American football in his late teens. He impressed while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he held the championship trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the late summer. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very welcoming environment, a great squad, a top franchise.”
Although devoting most of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and united, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s nice 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 potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back
