Dallas Cowboys rookie offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete received a powerful welcome Saturday night as thousands of Navajo Nation supporters turned out to watch him make his NFL preseason debut against the Arizona Cardinals.
Pete entered the game in the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium, where a large group of fans in the lower bowl erupted when the undrafted rookie took the field. Many supporters waved Navajo Nation flags and wore Pete’s No. 70 jersey.
The moment became even more emotional when Pete returned to the Cowboys’ sideline after playing six snaps on a drive that ended with a touchdown.
“The standing ovation was incredible,” Pete said after the game, per the Dallas Cowboys. “I just want to take a moment to thank all the fans and the people who showed up to support me, and to celebrate my name and to wear my jersey. I lost count of how many Navajo Nation flags I saw.”
A Historic Moment for the Navajo Nation
Pete, 23, made history when he signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent, becoming the first member of the Navajo Nation to sign with an NFL team.
The 6-foot-9, 309-pound offensive lineman began his college career as a walk-on at New Mexico State before transferring to Kentucky. He was still fighting for a spot on the Cowboys’ roster, but his journey had already become significant for people across the Navajo Nation.
With more than 140,000 members of the Navajo Nation living in Arizona, the Cowboys’ preseason visit to the Phoenix area provided an opportunity for supporters to see Pete play in person.
Pete said he expected Native American fans to attend but was overwhelmed by the size of the crowd.
“Phoenix is home to a lot of Native American tribes, obviously we got to see that,” Pete said, per NBC Sports. “It was incredible. A lot of Native Americans support the Cowboys, and they really like football.”
He also noticed a Salish Nation flag among the crowd.
Pete Saw Hope and Courage in the Crowd
As Pete looked into the stands and saw Navajo Nation flags, signs bearing his number and supporters celebrating his appearance, he said the scene represented more than just a preseason football game.
“I saw hope, courage,” Pete said, per the Cowboys. “Hope and courage.”
Pete described the experience as surreal and said he struggled to find English words that adequately captured what the moment meant to him.
“It’s hard to find the words to describe it,” he said. “English probably isn’t the language to describe it in.”
Pete then spoke briefly in his native language before explaining that the message would carry particular meaning for people back home.
“Folks back home, folks upstairs at our stadium, will know,” he said.
Cowboys Teammates Shared The Moment
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer also recognized the significance of the scene.
After the game, Schottenheimer asked Pete to address the team in the locker room. Pete delivered a brief message about the bond created through their shared experience with the Cowboys.
“Fate brought us here as strangers, but this game, this star, this team will make us brothers,” Pete told his teammates.
Schottenheimer said he had never seen an NFL player receive that kind of support during his decades around the league.
“That was really cool,” Schottenheimer said. “It was really awesome.”
The coach said Pete’s remarks about the Cowboys’ star and the importance of the organization resonated with his teammates.
Pete said he was grateful to the Cowboys for giving him the opportunity to reach a moment that would have been impossible without the organization.
“It’s just to show that I’m very thankful for this team,” Pete said. “Obviously, I’m not able to be here and speak to, I guess, obtain such a following because of this team. It is through the Cowboys, this organization, Jerry Jones that I’m able to participate and be amongst such incredible play.”
A Night Pete Will Not Forget
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren on the field before the game, adding another layer of significance to Pete’s appearance.
Although Pete played only six snaps, his presence on the field was enough to create a memorable night for the supporters who traveled to Glendale to see him.
The Cowboys won the preseason matchup 34-14, but the biggest moment for Pete came from the crowd that greeted him.
For an undrafted rookie still competing for an NFL roster spot, the reception provided a reminder of the significance his journey already held beyond football. For the Navajo Nation, it marked another milestone as Pete continued pursuing his place in the NFL.
Provided by Dallas Express
