These Players and Trainers Not Born in the USA

While the US is a country of newcomers, the NFL is still led by US-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by going to college in the US. Genuine outsiders are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s story exceptional.

James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

For the past six months, Cook has been in charge of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in Surrey, is in his late 20s, and did not participated in pro sports. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while channel-flicking with his dad and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating in his area and quickly wanted to become the first NFL QB born in Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his plans to attend college in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys wanted me, I would switch my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they trained with players, I’d appear all over London and toss the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

This is where he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he established the International Player Pathway programme in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the staff at the Falcons, becoming the first-ever UK full-time coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who was selected by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to get them into college football, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to joining the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a hybrid role supporting rookies, maximising time on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and GM. It’s a really active position, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the sport. First-year rookies also have to establish structure and schedules: learning to take care of their body and deal with a huge game plan. But also just being available for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I get a lot of Lasso-style comments and loads of players call me ‘mate’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and need support in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people realize that you care, all the other stuff melts away.”

Benefits of Being Outside the US System

Coming from outside the NFL bubble has its upsides. “I spoke in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly curious. NFL organizations are more diverse than people think. We have people from all sorts of origins, a range of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been more successful at producing international supporters than nurturing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia who claimed the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the elite level.

International Players and Their Paths

International athletes have usually been specialists, recruited from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons team. 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 Londoner who was part of 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 taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.

Pircher’s experience is equally unlikely. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was obviously not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He stood out while playing for clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in 2021.

The following year, he held the championship trophy as a part of the LA Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been popular in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the gridiron. Is being a international player still a hurdle?

“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they inquire: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really inclusive environment, a great squad, a top franchise.”

Although devoting most of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the team dynamics at his clubs. “Naturally the O-line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”

Motivating the Future

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the US. The better each one of us performs, the more young people who play football in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can succeed.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s nice to encourage them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are welcomed to Florida annually to coach the new group of aspiring NFL internationals. “Almost all of us come back