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Although the US is a nation of newcomers, the National Football League is still led by American-born athletes. Just 5% of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them enter the game by going to college in the US. Genuine outsiders are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.

James Cook’s Unlikely Journey to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his late 20s, and never participated in 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 “weird and wonderful” sport. He started playing locally and quickly aspired to become the first-ever NFL QB born in Europe. He progressed to representing Team GB, but his dreams to attend college in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people 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 trained with players, I’d appear all over 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 Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time championship winner Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first British permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some remarkable players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Charlie Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the New Orleans. I traveled to Australia to work with younger players from around the Pacific to get them into college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he says. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, optimizing time on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on position, which is ideal for me. My background was working with international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to build structure and schedules: learning to take care of their body and handle a massive game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the identical across the board. And I love that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an actual one,” states Cook. “I get a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the same things and require support in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care where you’re from or how you speak. And when people know that you care, all the other stuff melts away.”

Advantages of Being Outside the NFL Bubble

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we left, one of our offensive linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have staff from all sorts of origins, a range of upbringings. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing international supporters than developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby player from Australia who won the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Paths

International athletes have typically been specialists, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who played for Chelsea’s academy before finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his preferred games, football and the sport, so took up American football in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the national side, and was given a place on the IPP in that year.

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 Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“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 inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very welcoming environment, a excellent team, a top franchise.”

Despite devoting the majority of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Landen Akers – my best man, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Packers, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “I would say all the countries outside the United States. The better each one of us performs, the greater number of youth who play football in Italy, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘It can be done – if I put the work in every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to experience what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are all invited to the US annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return