These Players and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
Although the US is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is still dominated by US-born players. Just 5% of players are foreign-born, and the majority of them step into the sport by going to university in the US. True international figures are unusual, and foreign coaches are especially scarce, which renders James Cook’s journey remarkable.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the NFL
Cook has been in charge of athlete growth at the Cleveland Browns. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and did not 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 called a “weird and wonderful” game. He began participating locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL QB from Europe. He progressed to playing for 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 guys needed me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. Being a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could throw. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear all over London and throw the ball to them. I didn’t get paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”
This is where he encountered 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 became part of the staff at the Falcons, making history as the first-ever British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting guys,” he says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the New Orleans. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Making the Leap to NFL Coaching
Similar to his predecessor before him, Cook made the jump from working with foreign players to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns contacted me out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role assisting rookies, optimizing efficiency on the practice field, working closely with physios, the coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had not played the sport. Rookie rookies also have to establish structure and schedules: learning to take care of their body and handle a huge playbook. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Does being an Englishman who did not compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a imagined hurdle 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 love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I say ‘garbage can’ not ‘bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and require help in the same ways. If players know you can assist them, they don’t care about your origin or how you speak. And when people realize that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”
Advantages of Coming From Beyond the US System
Coming from beyond the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I addressed in front of the whole squad soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about the sport with me as he loves it. You make those connections and form friendships. Teammates are truly curious. NFL buildings are more diverse than many think. We have staff from various origins, a variety of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Be uncommon – 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. Jordan Mailata, a ex- rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the elite level.
International Athletes and Their Paths
Foreign players have usually been kickers, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield exchanged soccer for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Mick Luckhurst transitioned from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not trained in the American system, it’s very challenging to make the leap to the NFL.
Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s youth team before finding American football at Nottingham University, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s story is equally improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his favoured sports, football and handball, so started American football in his teenage years. He stood out while representing clubs in Europe and Germany, 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 Vince Lombardi Trophy as a part of the Rams training team. Pircher went on to have periods 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 each team but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is his status as a international player still a challenge?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the player. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – where are you from?’ But, once we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very welcoming environment, a excellent team, a top organization.”
Despite spending the majority of training with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is always close-knit because we are a group and altogether one, but we have mates from every position group. My best friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a really good friend: we lived together for a while at the LA Rams. QBs, defensive linemen, special teams: we’ve have to be there for each other.”
Motivating the Next Generation
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The better each one of us does, the more young people who participate in Italy, in Europe, wherever, can realize: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s rewarding to inspire them to experience what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida each year to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back
