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Cowboys rookie tackle Shiyazh Pete has become the star of the NFL preseason
Dallas Cowboys rookie offensive tackle Shiyazh Pete has become the star of the NFL preseason this summer. Pete made history over the weekend by becoming the first Navajo player to sign with an NFL team.
Shiyazh Pete, a 23 year old undrafted rookie offensive tackle out of the University of Kentucky, became the first Navajo Nation player to sign an NFL contract when the Dallas Cowboys added him to their roster this summer.
On Saturday, Peter made his preseason debut against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale — just miles from the Navajo Nation — and the moment instantly became a special one.
Shiyazh Pete became the first Navajo Nation player in NFL history and was given a standing ovation by Navajo Nation fans
Navajo Nation fans showed out for Pete as they were waving Navajo flags and holding a large “SKO SHIYAZH PETE” banner. Pete appeared in six snaps, including blocking on a fourth-quarter touchdown that drew a standing ovation from the Navajo Nation fans in attendance.
This Cowboys rookie offensive lineman got a standing ovation after a 4th quarter preseason touchdown he blocked for ⬇️
Shiyazh Pete is the first Navajo to ever sign with an NFL team. Saturday night, Navajo nation showed up in Glendale, AZ, for the undrafted rookie out of… pic.twitter.com/tmHZRGVeqI
— Jeff Kolb (@JeffKolbFOX4) August 23, 2026
After the game, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer praised his work ethic and leadership — calling him “one of the hardest workers” he’s ever been around — prompting Pete to give a postgame speech that also went viral.
“That was an incredible win,” Pete said. “I am very fortunate to be amongst you and to play in the same field, wear the same star holding on our chest. I’m proud of us, proud of how far we’ve come. Fate brought us here as strangers, but this game, this star, this team will make us brothers.”
this game, this star, this team will make us brothers 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/rEcvDTzSkd
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 23, 2026
Given Pete’s massive size — 6-foot-9, 309 pounds — and the impression he’s made on the Cowboys’ coaching staff, the former New Mexico State Aggie and Kentucky Wildcat looks like he’s got a real shot of making Dallas’ 53-man roster.