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Although the US is a country of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by US-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to university in the United States. Genuine outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.

Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in control of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an achievement in itself, but it’s extraordinary considering he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in pro sports. 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 in his area and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his dreams to go to college in the US were financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would adjust my shifts and help out. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

It was here that he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable players,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to introduce them to college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like his predecessor 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 assisting rookies, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a very hands-on role, which is ideal for me. My background was guiding international athletes who had not played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to establish structure and routines: learning to take care of their health and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”

Is being an Brit who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and need support in the identical ways. If players understand you can help them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or how you speak. And when players know that you are invested, all the rest melts away.”

Advantages of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble

Coming from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You make those connections and build relationships. People are genuinely intrigued. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than developing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who won the championship earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have risen to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have typically been specialists, brought in from different sports. Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not trained in the American system, it’s extremely difficult to make the leap to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at university, has achieved that. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not built for his favoured sports, football and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He impressed while representing teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he held the championship trophy as a member of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is being a international player still a hurdle?

“It’s not really difficult, not a barrier,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a very inclusive culture, a excellent team, a great organization.”

Despite spending most of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he represents not only his home countries. “I would say every nation beyond the United States. The more successful every IPP graduate does, the greater number of youth who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Almost all of us come back