These Athletes and Trainers Born Outside in the United States
Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is still dominated by US-born players. Only five percent of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the game by attending college in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.
Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not played pro sports. Cook first saw 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 quickly aspired to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for Great Britain, but his dreams to go to college in the US were too expensive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing 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 get me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming 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 recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to work with younger players from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, like what I wanted to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting rookies, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a very active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had not played the game. First-year rookies also have to establish structure and routines: learning to look after their health and handle a massive game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same across the board. And I love that.”
Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a imagined barrier than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and require support in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care 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
Coming from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. People are genuinely intrigued. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been better at attracting foreign fans than developing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.
Foreign Players and Their Paths
International athletes have typically been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the Italian was obviously not suited for his preferred games, football and the sport, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while representing clubs in Europe and Germany, as well as the national side, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see action on the field. Is being a foreigner still a challenge?
“It isn’t 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 got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we have that figured out, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a really inclusive environment, a excellent squad, a top franchise.”
Although devoting the majority of training with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My close friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for two years at the Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The better every IPP graduate performs, the more youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back
