The Athletes and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
Although the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is still led by American-born athletes. Just five percent of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by attending university in the US. True outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s story remarkable.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He started playing in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his plans to attend university in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys needed me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually buy me lunch.”
This is where he met Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, making history as the first UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to train younger players from across the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, like what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting rookies, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a very active role, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish habits and routines: how to take care of their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and many players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the same things and require support in the identical ways. If players know you can help them, they don’t care 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 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 truly curious. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than nurturing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who won the Super Bowl earlier this year 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 different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for being a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and were not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.
Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before discovering the sport at university, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not suited for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He impressed while playing for teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he held the championship trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had periods on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?
“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very welcoming culture, a excellent squad, a top organization.”
Despite devoting most of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played wide receiver at the LA. The specialist from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is conscious he represents more than just his home countries. “I would say every nation beyond the United States. The more successful each one of us does, the greater number of young people who play football in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to the US annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return
