It’s preseason for the National Football League, and the Arizona Cardinals will take on the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday in Glendale. Whether watching on TV or sitting in the stands, you might see a Navajo rookie take the field at State Farm Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones shared a renewed sense of optimism for this upcoming season amid the Texas team’s annual training camp in Oxnard, California.
“I’m even more excited today than I was when we started camp,” said Jones, “that our team is going to be one that, if we can have some things go right for us, avoid some injury. We could really be something …”
From franchise quarterback Dak Prescott to standout wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. And among those fighting to make the Cowboys’ roster is undrafted free agent Shiyazh Pete — who is believed to be the first Navajo player to sign an NFL contract.
“I was quite, quite a specimen,” said Pete during rookie minicamp in Dallas. “I mean, really, didn’t really have no one to kind of relate to in terms of height. I’ve always been asked questions of, you know, 'how tall are you? How’s the weather up there?'”
Originally from Montana, the 6-foot-9, 309-pound offensive lineman attended Shiprock High School on the Navajo Nation. Then, he walked on at New Mexico State University before transferring to the University of Kentucky — then signing with the Cowboys this spring.
“It’s a great honor — to put on the star is again surreal,” added Pete, the 23-year-old offensive tackle. “But again, I have to earn that star. I wouldn’t say I’m an official Cowboy yet.”
He is coming off his first couple of pro snaps last Saturday in a winning 17-7 bout against the defending Super Bowl champs — the Seattle Seahawks. Now, Pete has another chance to prove he belongs on America’s Team.
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