When Shiyazh Pete arrived at the rookie minicamp, he knew the spotlight would be on him. He was the first member of the Navajo Nation to sign with an NFL team. But there was more work to do, especially after signing on as an UDFA with the Cowboys. 

As Pete put it, “To put on the star is surreal. But I have to earn that star. I wouldn’t say I’m an official Cowboy yet.” And sure enough, in the months that followed, including a few tough weeks in Oxnard, Pete put in the work. And all of it culminated in his biggest moment yet. 

On Saturday, as the Dallas Cowboys took on the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason game,  rookie offensive tackle suited up. Waiting for him in the stands was a special group, waiting to watch a member of their community take the field as the first NFL player of Navajo heritage. 

“Super cool: Cowboys OL Shiyazh Pete, the first NFL player of Navajo heritage, was just given a standing ovation from hundreds of Navajo in attendance in Phoenix at the end of tonight’s preseason game.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Harris wrote on X. He later clarified that he misjudged the number, and it was actually in the thousands.

Fans cheered him on, and Pete cheered back. He also interacted with them, giving them fist bumps as he walked around the field after the game.

“The standing ovation was incredible,” Pete told Harris. “I want to thank all of the fans that showed up to support me and wear my jersey. I lost count of how many Navajo Nation flags I saw. It was awesome. “I saw hope and courage. It’s definitely etched in the history books. It was incredible. I’m just trying to find the words of how special and impactful that was.”

For Pete, that standing ovation meant more than a gesture from fans. His journey to the NFL has been anything but simple. 

After swapping from judo to football, Pete quickly became a force to be reckoned with in high school. In fact, he became an all-district player. However, with his senior season lost to COVID-19, there were barely any recruitment opportunities. While there was some interest from Division 2 programs, young Shiyazh didn’t let up.

He chose New Mexico State as his college, arriving as a walk-on. He redshirted in 2022, and by 2024 he quickly became a star. But Pete wanted more. He wanted a challenge. That’s why he chose the Kentucky Wildcats as his next destination, where he’d face SEC teams week after week.

But even after impressive performances in the SEC, no NFL team came calling when the draft rolled by. However, Dallas offensive line coach Conor Riley had watched him work out at Kentucky’s pro day, and after the draft, the team brought him in as one of its 11 undrafted free agents. 

“Shiyazh Pete represents more than football,” Navajo Nation President Buu Nguyen said after he was signed. “He represents where he comes from, the work it takes to get here, and the pride of our people. Moments like this show our young people what’s possible when you stay committed.”

And it’s a responsibility that Pete hasn’t shied away from, as he made it clear while talking to reporters at the minicamp. 

“It’s a great honor. I’m realising I’m one of the first individuals in that community to do so. It’s a little bit surreal. I understand that I’m a public figure now and I must act accordingly. I carry some responsibility.

His roster path remains a work in progress. Dallas’ unofficial depth chart currently has Pete listed as the third-team right guard, behind Tyler Booker and Trevor Keegan. That means the preseason is an important opportunity for the undrafted rookie to show the coaching staff he deserves to stick around.

Dallas’ 34-13 win made the night even better, but the standing ovation showed what Pete’s NFL breakthrough really meant. After taking the long road from Shiprock to the NFL, having his community there made the moment even more special.