These Players and Trainers Born Outside in the United States
Although the US is a country of newcomers, the National Football League is largely led by US-born athletes. Only five percent of participants are born abroad, and the majority of them step into the sport by attending college in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and foreign coaches are particularly scarce, which makes James Cook’s journey remarkable.
James Cook’s Surprising Path to the League
Cook has been in control of athlete growth at the Browns organization. That’s an accomplishment 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 teenager while surfing channels with his father and stumbled upon what he called a “weird and wonderful” sport. He began participating in his area and soon aspired to become the first-ever NFL quarterback born in Europe. He got as far as representing Team GB, but his dreams to attend college in the US were too expensive.
“I scooped popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people wanted me, I would adjust my schedule and assist. As a quarterback, the one thing I had was I could pass. So when they worked out with players, I’d appear around London and toss the ball to them. I wasn’t paid, but they’d usually get me lunch.”
It was here that he encountered Aden Durde, who had periods with the Panthers and Chiefs during his career before he set up the International Player Pathway program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Umenyiora. When Durde became part of the coaching team at the Falcons, becoming the first 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 says. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Travis Clayton, who was selected by Buffalo; Smyth, the specialist from the Emerald Isle who’s now with the Saints. I went to Down Under to work with aspiring athletes from around the Pacific to get them into college football, like what I had hoped to do.”
Transitioning to Coaching in the NFL
Like his predecessor before him, Cook transitioned from training international athletes to joining the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he explains. “They had a hybrid role supporting younger players, maximising time on the practice field, working closely with medical staff, the coach and GM. It’s a really active role, which is perfect for me. My experience was guiding international athletes who had never played the sport. Rookie newcomers also have to build habits and schedules: how to take care of their health and handle a massive game plan. But also just being present for players. That’s the same everywhere. And I enjoy that.”
Is being an Brit who did not play in the NFL hold him back? “It’s largely a imagined hurdle than an real one,” states Cook. “I’ve had 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 use ‘trash can’ not ‘rubbish bin’. But we feel anxious or under pressure about the similar things and need support in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned about your origin or how you speak. And when players know that you are invested, all the other stuff melts away.”
Benefits of Coming From Outside the NFL Bubble
Originating from outside the NFL bubble has its advantages. “I spoke in front of the entire team very early on, and, as we walked out, one of our offensive linemen asked me about rugby with me as he loves it. You build those bonds and form friendships. People are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are more diverse than many think. We have staff from various origins, a variety of upbringings. Our mantra at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are unique so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”
The NFL has been more successful at producing foreign fans than developing global talent. Mailata, a former rugby league player from Sydney who claimed the championship recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the elite level.
International Players and Their Journeys
International athletes have usually been kickers, recruited from other football codes. Bobby Howfield swapped playing up front for Watford and Fulham for being a placekicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby union in St Albans to the Falcons team. If you aren’t aiming to be a special teams player and did not educated in the US college 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 Nottingham University, has made that step. He competed in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before taking his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was clearly not suited for his preferred games, 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 national side, and was offered a place on the IPP in that year.
A year later, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher went on to have spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the gridiron. Is his status as a international player still a hurdle?
“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” notes the 26-year-old. “We have players from all different states, so it doesn’t really matter. At first, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we clarify that, we’re all friends. The Vikings have a very welcoming environment, a great team, a great organization.”
Despite devoting the majority of practice with his fellow offensive linemen, Pircher has immersed himself in the social mix at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is always very tight because we are a group and altogether one, but we have friends from every position group. My close friend, Akers – my wedding witness, actually – was a receiver at the Rams. The specialist from the Green Bay, Matt Orzech, is a close pal: we lived together for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve got to be there for each other.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Pircher is aware he symbolizes not only his home countries. “In my view all the countries beyond the US. The better each one of us performs, the greater number of young people who participate in Italy, in Europe, anywhere, can realize: ‘It can be done – if I dedicate myself consistently, I can succeed.’ I have a many kids hitting me up, asking for tips. It’s nice to inspire them to pursue what I’ve achieved.”
The IPP graduates are all invited to Florida annually to coach the new group of potential NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back