The Athletes and Trainers Born Outside in the USA

While the United States is a nation of immigrants, the National Football League is largely led by American-born athletes. Only 5% of participants are foreign-born, and most of them enter the game by going to college in the United States. Genuine international figures are rare, and coaches from abroad are especially rare, which makes James Cook’s story exceptional.

Cook’s Surprising Journey to the League

Cook has been in charge of player development at the Browns organization. This is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s incredible considering he was raised in Surrey, is in his twenties, and never played pro sports. 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 started playing in his area and soon wanted to become the first-ever NFL quarterback from Europe. He progressed to playing for Team GB, but his dreams to go to college in the US proved financially prohibitive.

“I was scooping popcorn, cleaning seats, flipping burgers, doing a bit of everything. Any time the NFL people wanted 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 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 encountered Aden Durde, who had stints with the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days before he set up the IPP program in that year with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora. When Durde joined the staff at the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first British full-time coach in NFL annals, Cook assumed control of the IPP. “I enjoyed a lot of fun with it, working with some remarkable guys,” he recalls. “We had Louis Rees-Zammit; Clayton, who got drafted by Buffalo; Smyth, the kicker from Ireland who’s now with the Saints. I went to Australia to train aspiring athletes from around the Pacific region to introduce them to the US college system, similar to what I had hoped to do.”

Transitioning to NFL Coaching

Like Durde before him, Cook made the jump from working with international athletes to coaching in the NFL. “The Browns called unexpectedly,” he says. “They had a multi-faceted position supporting younger players, optimizing time on the training ground, collaborating with physios, the head coach and general manager. It’s a very hands-on position, which is perfect for me. My background was working with international athletes who had not played the game. First-year newcomers also have to build structure and routines: learning to look after their body and handle a massive game plan. But also just being available for players. That’s the identical everywhere. And I enjoy that.”

Is being an Brit who never compete in the NFL a disadvantage? “It’s more of a perceived hurdle than an real one,” says Cook. “I’ve had a lot of reverse Ted Lasso jokes and many players call me ‘mate’ as they love that. It’s more about monitoring my language. I use ‘trash can’ not ‘bin’. But we get nervous or under pressure about the same things and need support in the identical ways. If players know you can assist them, they aren’t concerned where you’re from or what accent. And when players know that you care, all the rest melts away.”

Benefits of Coming From Outside the US System

Originating from outside the American football world has its upsides. “I addressed in front of the whole squad very early on, 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 build relationships. Teammates are truly intrigued. NFL organizations are varied than people think. We have staff from all sorts of backgrounds, a variety of experiences. Our saying at IPP was: ‘Stand out – you are different so lean into it.’ It’s something to be proud of.”

The NFL has been more successful at attracting foreign fans than developing foreign players. Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player from Sydney who claimed the championship earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the few IPP players to have made it to the elite level.

Foreign Players and Their Paths

Foreign players have typically been kickers, brought in from other football codes. Bobby Howfield exchanged playing up front for English clubs for becoming a kicker for the Broncos and Jets; Luckhurst graduated from rugby in England to the Falcons roster. If you do not want to be a kicker and were not trained in the US college system, it’s very challenging to advance to the NFL.

Oyelola, a native of London who played for Chelsea’s academy before discovering American football at university, has achieved that. He competed in the CFL for the Blue Bombers before moving to the Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maximilian Pircher’s story is just as improbable. At over two meters and 23 stone, the from Italy was obviously not suited for his preferred games, soccer and the sport, so took up American football in his teenage years. He impressed while representing teams in Austria and Europe, as well as the Italy team, and was given a place on the IPP in that year.

The following year, he had his hands on the championship trophy as a part of the LA Rams practice squad. Pircher subsequently had spells on the periphery at the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders, before he joined the Minnesota Vikings at the end of August. He has been well-liked in every locker room but is hasn’t had action on the field. Is his status as a foreigner still a challenge?

“It’s not really difficult, not an obstacle,” says the 26-year-old. “We have players from various regions, so it doesn’t really matter. Initially, they ask: ‘You got an accent – where are you from?’ But, after we have that figured out, we’re teammates. The Minnesota have a very inclusive culture, a excellent team, a top organization.”

Although spending most of practice with his fellow linemen, Pircher has thrown himself into the team dynamics at his clubs. “Obviously the offensive line is consistently close-knit because we are a unit and altogether one, but we have mates from all positions. My best friend, Landen Akers – my wedding witness, actually – played wide receiver at the Rams. The long snapper from the Green Bay, Orzech, is a really good friend: we shared a home for two years at the LA Rams. Quarterbacks, defensive linemen, specialists: we’ve have to be supportive.”

Inspiring the Future

Pircher is aware he represents more than just Italy and Austria. “I would say all the countries beyond the US. The more successful each one of us performs, the greater number of young people who participate in Europe, in Europe, anywhere, can see: ‘Oh it is possible – if I dedicate myself every day, I can get somewhere.’ I have a lot of kids contacting me, seeking tips. It’s nice to encourage them to experience what I’ve achieved.”

The program alumni are all invited to Florida annually to coach the next wave of aspiring NFL internationals. “Virtually everyone of us come back