The Dallas Cowboys waived 6-foot-9 offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete — the first Navajo athlete to land a National Football League contract — from its active 53-man roster on Sunday.
Pete is among approximately 1,184 players facing the possibly of being cut from the NFL following the August preseason.
This announcement comes less than two weeks after he gave a viral locker room speech at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
The rowdy crowd floored Pete with a standing ovation — while waving seemingly countless flags featuring the rainbow-coated seal of the Navajo Nation. Even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joined the tribe’s president, Buu Nygren, in rooting for Pete before the coin toss.
Now, other franchises — even the rival Arizona Cardinals — have the chance to sign Pete to a club roster or practice squad spot once the 23-year-old rookie officially becomes a free agent following a 24-hour window.
J Steven Lee
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