These Players and Trainers Born Outside in the USA
Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is still led by US-born athletes. Just five percent of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them enter the sport by going to college in the US. True outsiders are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.
Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL
For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and did not played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while surfing channels with his father and came across what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating locally and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his dreams to attend university in the US proved financially prohibitive.
“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my schedule and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they trained with players, I’d appear around London and throw the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d often get me lunch.”
This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to get them into college football, like what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising time on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a very hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My background was guiding players from abroad who had never played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to build habits and schedules: learning to look after their health and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”
Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso comments and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or stressed about the same things and require support in the same ways. If players understand you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the rest melts away.”
Benefits of Being Outside the NFL Bubble
Originating from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen wanted to talk the sport with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and build relationships. People are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are varied than many think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of experiences. 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 better at attracting foreign fans than nurturing foreign players. Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.
International Players and Their Paths
Foreign players have typically been kickers, recruited from different sports. Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and did not educated in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for 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 Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He stood out while playing for clubs in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he had his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a great squad, a top organization.”
Despite spending the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, in fact – was a receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Future
Pircher is aware he represents not only Italy and Austria. “I would say all the countries beyond the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the greater number of youth who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of youngsters contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are welcomed to the US each year to coach the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us come back