These Athletes and Coaches Not Born in the United States
Although the United States is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still led by American-born players. Only 5% of participants are born abroad, and most of them step into the game by attending college in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s journey exceptional.
Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League
Cook has been in control of player development 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 never played pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating locally and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He got as far as playing for Team GB, but his plans to attend university in the US proved too expensive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my shifts and help out. Being 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 toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”
This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Chiefs during his playing days before he established the IPP programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting players,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Down Under to work with younger players from around the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I had hoped to do.”
Making the Leap to Coaching in the NFL
Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, maximising efficiency on the practice field, collaborating with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on role, which is ideal for me. My experience was working with international athletes who had never played the game. First-year rookies also have to build structure and routines: learning to look after their health and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the identical everywhere. And I love that.”
Does being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an real 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 ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or stressed about the similar things and need support in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or what accent. And when people know that you care, all the other stuff melts away.”
Benefits of Being Beyond the NFL Bubble
Originating from beyond the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. People are truly curious. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a variety of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been more successful at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who won the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have made it to the very top.
International Players and Their Journeys
Foreign players have usually been specialists, recruited from different sports. Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you aren’t aiming to be a kicker and did not educated in the US college system, it’s extremely difficult to advance to the NFL.
Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at Nottingham University, has made that step. He played in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s experience is just as unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, soccer and the sport, so started the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while representing clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was given a spot on the IPP in that year.
The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the fringes at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is being 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 doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a excellent team, a top franchise.”
Although devoting the majority of training with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his teams. “Naturally the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from all positions. My close friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – was a wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is conscious he represents not only Italy and Austria. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate performs, the greater number of youth who participate in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ 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 all invited to the US each year to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us return
