These Athletes and Coaches Born Outside in the USA
Although the United States is a nation of immigrants, the NFL is largely dominated by American-born athletes. Only 5% of players are born abroad, and most of them step into the sport by attending college in the United States. Genuine international figures are unusual, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s story remarkable.
James Cook’s Surprising Journey to the NFL
Cook has been in control of player development at the Cleveland Browns. This is an achievement in itself, but it’s incredible given he grew up in England, is in his twenties, and did not participated in professional sport. Cook first saw the NFL as a 12-year-old while channel-flicking with his father and stumbled upon what he described as a “strange and amazing” sport. He began participating locally and soon wanted to become the first NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to representing Great Britain, but his plans to attend college in the US were too expensive.
“I scooped popcorn, wiping seats, making burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people needed me, I would switch my schedule and assist. As a quarterback, the key skill I had was I could pass. 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 buy me lunch.”
This is where he encountered Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his career before he established the International Player Pathway program in 2017 with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first UK full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook took over the IPP. “I had a lot of fun with it, coaching some really interesting players,” he says. “We had Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who got drafted by the Bills; Charlie Smyth, the kicker from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I traveled to Australia to train aspiring athletes from across the Pacific to get them into college football, similar to what I wanted to do.”
Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL
Similar to Durde before him, Cook transitioned from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “Cleveland contacted me out of the blue,” he explains. “They had a multi-faceted position assisting rookies, optimizing time on the practice field, working closely with physios, the head coach and GM. It’s a really hands-on role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had not played the game. Rookie newcomers also have to build structure and routines: learning to take care of their health and handle a huge game plan. But also just being present for guys. That’s the same everywhere. And I love that.”
Is being an Englishman who never play in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s largely a perceived hurdle than an actual one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of Lasso-style comments and many 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 stressed about the similar things and require help in the same ways. If players understand you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when people know that you care, all the other stuff melts away.”
Advantages of Being Outside the US System
Coming from beyond the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the entire team soon after joining, and, as we walked out, one of our linemen asked me about rugby with me as he enjoys it. You build those bonds and build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than many think. We have staff from various origins, a variety of experiences. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to celebrate.”
The NFL has been better at attracting international supporters than nurturing global talent. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the Super Bowl recently with the Eagles, is among the rare IPP graduates to have risen to the very top.
International Players and Their Paths
International athletes have usually been specialists, brought in from different sports. Bobby Howfield swapped soccer for English clubs for being a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you do not want to be a kicker and did not educated in the American system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.
Ayo Oyelola, a Londoner who was part of Chelsea’s academy before finding the sport at university, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jaguars and Steelers.
Maximilian Pircher’s experience is just as improbable. At 6ft 7in and heavyweight, the Italian was clearly not suited for his favoured sports, football and the sport, so started the NFL in his teenage years. He impressed while playing for teams in Europe and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was offered a place on the IPP in 2021.
The following year, he held the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have periods on the periphery at the Detroit Lions, Seahawks and Washington Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the late summer. He has been well-liked in each team but is hasn’t had game time on the field. Is being a international player still a challenge?
“It isn’t difficult, not a barrier,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it isn’t an issue. Initially, they ask: ‘You speak differently – what’s your background?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Minnesota have a really welcoming environment, a excellent squad, a top franchise.”
Although spending most of practice with his other offensive linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the social mix at his clubs. “Naturally the offensive 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 best man, actually – played wide receiver at the LA. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the Rams. QBs, defenders, specialists: we’ve got to be supportive.”
Motivating the Future
Pircher is conscious he symbolizes more than just his home countries. “In my view every nation outside the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the more youth who play football in Europe, in Europe, wherever, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I put the work in consistently, I can get somewhere.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, seeking tips. It’s rewarding to encourage them to pursue what I’ve experienced.”
The program alumni are all invited to the US each year to train the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us return