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Although the US is a country of immigrants, the National Football League is largely dominated by US-born players. Just five percent of participants are foreign-born, and most of them enter the game by attending college in the US. Genuine outsiders are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.

Cook’s Unlikely Path to the NFL

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Browns organization. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible considering he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and never played professional sport. Cook discovered the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “strange and amazing” game. He began participating locally and quickly aspired to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his plans to go to university in the US were too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Any time the NFL guys needed me, I would switch my shifts and assist. Being a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d often buy me lunch.”

This is where he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the IPP programme in 2017 with two-time championship winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first UK permanent coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, working with some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected 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, like what I wanted to do.”

Making the Leap to NFL Coaching

Similar to Durde 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 supporting younger players, optimizing efficiency on the training ground, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on role, which is ideal for me. My experience was guiding players from abroad who had never played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish structure and schedules: learning to look after their body and deal with a massive playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the identical across the board. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Englishman who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s more of a perceived barrier than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style jokes and loads of players call me ‘bruv’ as they like that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure 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 how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the other stuff fades.”

Benefits of Coming From Beyond the US System

Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the whole squad very early on, and, as we left, one of our linemen wanted to talk rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have people from various origins, a range of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so embrace it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than developing global talent. Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Australia who won the Super Bowl earlier this year with the Eagles, is one of the few IPP graduates to have made it to the very top.

Foreign Players and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been kickers, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in England to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker 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 youth team before finding American football at Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is equally improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not suited for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so took up the NFL in his late teens. He impressed while playing for teams in Europe and Germany, as well as the national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.

A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the fringes at the Lions, 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 game time on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?

“It isn’t difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it isn’t an issue. At first, they ask: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re teammates. The Vikings have a really welcoming environment, a great squad, a great organization.”

Although devoting the majority of practice with his fellow linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is consistently very tight because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have friends from all positions. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Motivating the Next Generation

Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say every nation outside the US. The better every IPP graduate performs, the more young people who play football in Europe, in Germany, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids contacting me, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The program alumni are welcomed to the US each year to coach the next wave of potential NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return