These Players and Coaches Not Born in the USA
Although the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely led by American-born players. Just five percent of participants are foreign-born, and most of them enter the game by going to university in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s story exceptional.
James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Browns organization. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and never participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old 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 QB born in Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his dreams to go to university in the US were too expensive.
“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed 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 around London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”
This is where he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to work with younger players from across the Pacific region to get them into the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”
Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL
Similar to 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 multi-faceted position assisting younger players, optimizing time on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My background was working with players from abroad who had not played the game. Rookie rookies also have to establish habits and routines: how to take care of their body and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Is being an Englishman who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the similar things and require help in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when people realize that you are invested, all the rest fades.”
Advantages 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 soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds 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 saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Australia who claimed the championship recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.
International Athletes and Their Journeys
Foreign players have typically been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and did not educated in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s youth team before discovering the sport at university, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football 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 that year.
The following year, 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 Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – what’s your background?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a really inclusive environment, a great team, a top organization.”
Despite spending the majority of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my best man, in fact – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “In my view every nation beyond the United States. The more successful each one of us does, the greater number of youth who participate in Italy, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida each year to train the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Almost all of us return
