The NFL preseason is an incredibly publicized sink-or-swim period for athletes who are pursuing a career in the NFL. In the preseason, highly coveted prospects and players who went undrafted through all seven rounds of the draft take the field together, making it a huge opportunity for every player to prove why they belong on an NFL roster. Players such as Antonio Gates, Jason Peters, and Tony Romo all earned their spots in the crunch time that is the NFL preseason. The last of those players, Romo, was the quarterback for perhaps the most famous of NFL teams.

 The Dallas Cowboys. Despite decades of disappointment, the Cowboys continue to be perhaps the most famous NFL team in the world. The Cowboys are given the label of “America’s Team,” which makes them an incredibly recognizable team regardless of team success. Because of that visibility and publicity, it is incredibly significant when a player from an underrepresented community wears the iconic blue and silver. 

Who Is Shiyazh Pete?

Shiyazh Pete is a member of the Navajo, or Diné, a name that translates to “The People.” The Navajo Nation existed long before Europeans arrived in America. Their territory would later become parts of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. It only makes sense that an Indigenous American would make his way to America’s Team at some point.

Pete’s football journey began  in the seventh grade, but he   really began to focus on the sport as a sophomore in high school when he joined the Shiprock High School football team, where he quickly became the starter. He excelled on both sides of the ball, becoming a first-team All-District player on offense and a second-team All-District player on defense. With his size at 6’8″ and athletic ability, it was clear that he had the potential to play in college. However, COVID, mixed with the lack of exposure during the recruiting process, hindered his chances of getting Division I offers.

Despite having offers to play at Division II and Division III schools, Pete decided to take a chance and walk on at New Mexico State. As a redshirt sophomore, he would become a starter and earn All-Conference honors with the Aggies. In his last year of eligibility, he entered the transfer portal as a top-20-ranked offensive lineman.

Pete would ultimately transfer to Kentucky and continue to start in one of the best conferences in college football the SEC.

The brutal reality of the NFL is that you can start in college and play for a team as historic as Kentucky, but that does not mean that making it to the NFL is a foregone conclusion.  Pete signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the NFL draft, but he still had to make the team in the preseason. 

Pete made history during the preseason, becoming the first member of the Navajo Nation to take the field in an NFL game. His opportunity was limited. Over the course of two preseason games, Pete recorded 16 pass-blocking snaps without allowing a single pressure on the quarterback.

But it was his appearance against the Arizona Cardinals that became particularly meaningful. With members of the Navajo Nation in attendance cheering him on, Pete played six snaps at right guard, a position that was entirely new to him. Despite the unfamiliarity, he did not allow a pressure, and the drive ended with a Cowboys touchdown.

Pete’s impact that night went beyond what he did on the field. The coach noticed the energy he brought and invited him to address the players after the game. Like Pete, many of the players did not know what the future held for them. His impassioned speech went viral, capturing the hearts of his teammates and NFL fans across the country:

“Fate brought us here as strangers,” he told his teammates, “but this game, this star, this team will make us brothers.”

Watch Pete’s full speech here

Impact

Unfortunately, not every story has a happy ending, at least not right away. Pete did not make the Dallas Cowboys’ final roster. The NFL preseason is unforgiving, and only a small percentage of players competing for a roster spot ultimately earn one.

But Shiyazh Pete is not giving up on his dream of becoming the first member of the Navajo Nation to make an NFL roster. Although it did not happen this season, the sixteen  snaps he played in a Cowboys uniform proved something powerful: it is possible.

Watch the video below to see how Pete’s opportunity with the Cowboys is  inspiring  the next generation of the Navajo Nation:

Pete’s story encourages us to remember that making an impact does not always require reaching the finish line. If we have the courage to chase our dreams and pursue what has never been done before, we can open doors for those who follow us.

That’s it for this post! If you liked what you read, follow us on Instagram or Facebook using the buttons above. To help us create more inspiring content, donate by clicking the button on the side of the page.