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Although the United States is a country of immigrants, the NFL is largely led by American-born athletes. Only five percent of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to college in the United States. Genuine outsiders are unusual, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which renders James Cook’s story exceptional.

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 given he was raised in England, is in his twenties, and never participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a teenager while surfing channels with his dad and came across what he described as a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating locally and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to go to university in the US proved too expensive.

“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, making burgers, handling a bit of everything. Whenever the NFL people needed me, I would switch my shifts and help out. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d show up all over London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”

It was here that he met Aden Durde, who had periods with the Carolina Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he established the IPP program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the coaching team at the Falcons, making history as the first-ever UK permanent coach in NFL history, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to train younger players from across the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, like what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL

Like his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called out of the blue,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting younger players, maximising time on the training ground, collaborating with medical staff, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My experience was working with players from abroad who had never played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to build structure and schedules: how to take care of their health and deal with a massive game plan. But also just being available for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Brit who never play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a perceived barrier than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and loads of players refer to me as ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about checking myself. I use ‘garbage can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we get nervous 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 about your origin or how you speak. And when players realize that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Advantages of Being Outside the US System

Coming from beyond the American football world has its advantages. “I addressed 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 build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are genuinely curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than people think. We have staff from various backgrounds, a range of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so embrace it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”

The NFL has been better at producing international supporters than developing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Athletes and Their Journeys

International athletes have typically been kickers, recruited from different sports. Howfield exchanged playing up front for Watford and Fulham for becoming a placekicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets; Luckhurst transitioned from rugby in England to the Atlanta Falcons team. If you do not want to be a special teams player and were not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Ayo Oyelola, a native of London who was part of Chelsea’s youth team before finding the sport at university, has achieved that. He played in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the from Italy was clearly not built for his favoured sports, soccer and handball, so took up the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while representing clubs in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a spot on the IPP in that year.

A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a member of the Rams training team. Pircher subsequently had spells on the fringes at the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he signed with the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is yet to see game time on the field. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?

“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. Initially, they inquire: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really welcoming environment, a excellent team, a great organization.”

Although devoting the majority of practice with his other linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his teams. “Obviously the O-line is always close-knit because we are a group and united, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, in fact – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Packers, Orzech, is a close pal: we shared a home for a while at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defenders, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Pircher is aware he represents more than just his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the United States. The better each one of us does, the greater number of youth who play football in Italy, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”

The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL outsiders. “Virtually everyone of us return