GLENDALE, Ariz. – Cowboys rookie offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete is the first member of the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the United States, to sign with an NFL team.
In Saturday's 34-14 win over the Cardinals, Pete saw just how much his accomplishment meant to his people. Thousands of members of the Navajo Nation, including President Buu Nguyen, made the short trip south to Glendale to show their support for Pete in his first NFL preseason appearance.
When Pete entered the game in the fourth quarter, the members were the first to notice and began cheering. Pete played just six total plays on one drive that resulted in a Phil Mafah touchdown, but that was more than enough for everyone who made the trip to see him, as he received a standing ovation upon his return to the Cowboys bench.
"The standing ovation was incredible," Pete said. "Want to take the moment to thank all the fans, and the people who showed up to support me, and to celebrate my name and to wear my jersey. I lost count of how many Navajo Nation flags I saw. I saw a Salish nation flag as well, which was awesome…"
"It's definitely etched in the history books, I'll tell you that. It was incredible. I'm trying to find the words of how special and impactful that really was. The fact that I am able to participate on the field and conduct my play to the best of my ability, fans support me for that, for who I am, it's incredible."
Pete knew that there would probably be some Navajo Nation members at the game given the fact that Phoenix is home to many Native American tribes. He didn't think there would be as many as there were when he faced the crowd and raised his helmet in the air as they chanted his name.
The Dallas Cowboys win their second preseason game 34-13 against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
"It was surreal," Pete said. "It's hard to find the words to describe. English probably isn't the language to describe it in."
Pete then used a word in his native tongue that was difficult to make out, and didn't have a direct translation to the English language. Still, he knows it will carry meaning to those closest to him.
"Folks back home, folks upstairs at our stadium will know." Pete said.
As Pete looked up at the Navajo flags, signs with his number and smiles of his supporters, what did he see?
"I saw hope, courage," Pete said. "Hope and courage."
For Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, seeing Pete get recognized by his supporters at that magnitude was unlike anything he's ever seen in his decades of coaching in the NFL.
"That was really cool," Schottenheimer said. "It was really awesome. We had him break it down and his comments were really cool – talking about the brotherhood. He talked about The Star and the importance the Star holds for him. These guys love him."
When Pete broke down the team, he told them that "fate brought us here as strangers, but this game, this star, this team will make us brothers." It was the cherry on top of a special night.
"It's just to show that I'm very thankful for this team," Pete said. "Obviously, I'm not able to be here and speak to, I guess, obtain such a following because of this team. It is through the Cowboys, this organization, Jerry Jones that I'm able to participate and be amongst such incredible play."
