Navajo Rookie Waived
Dallas Cowboys Waive Historic Navajo Rookie Shiyazh Pete Ahead of Roster Cuts
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Key Points
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In Arizona, Pete noted Phoenix is home to many Native American tribes and said he saw numerous Navajo Nation flags in the crowd, including a Salish Nation flag, reflecting the strong regional support for his story.
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Head coach Brian Schottenheimer publicly praised Pete both before and after his viral locker-room speech, highlighting the impact he had on the team regardless of the roster outcome.
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Pete drew a large ceremonial crowd beyond the Cowboys’ regular fans, with thousands of Navajo Nation members attending the Arizona game to cheer him on, and he later received a standing ovation from Navajo Nation supporters.
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During the three preseason games, Pete logged 16 pass-blocking snaps without allowing a single quarterback pressure, providing tangible evidence of his on-field potential.
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Pete’s waiver status remains in play for 24 hours, with expectations that he will clear waivers and potentially return to the Cowboys’ practice squad or pursue opportunities with other teams.
The Dallas Cowboys waived Navajo rookie Shiyazh Pete ahead of the NFL's roster cut deadline, ending a historic preseason story that captivated Native American communities across the country CBS News. Pete, the first member of the Navajo Nation to sign an NFL contract, appeared in three preseason games without allowing a quarterback pressure USA Today. His locker-room speech after a win over Arizona went viral with over 10 million social media views, drawing thousands of Navajo Nation supporters to the game.
From Undrafted to Viral Sensation
Pete started as an undrafted walk-on from New Mexico State, a true underdog story in professional football El Paso Times. His journey to signing with Dallas made headlines as a milestone for Native American representation in the NFL. Pete's locker-room speech after the Cardinals win resonated deeply with fans and teammates alike, showcasing his leadership beyond the field.
Strong On-Field Performance Wasn't Enough
Pete logged 16 pass-blocking snaps across three preseason games without allowing a single quarterback pressure USA Today. Coach Brian Schottenheimer publicly praised Pete both before and after his viral speech, recognizing his impact on the team. Despite this tangible evidence of potential, the Cowboys decided to move forward with other offensive linemen for their 53-man roster.
Thousands Show Up to Support Pete in Arizona
The Cowboys' Week 2 game against Arizona drew a ceremonial crowd far beyond regular fans AOL. Thousands of Navajo Nation members attended to cheer Pete on, and he later received a standing ovation from supporters. Pete noted seeing numerous Navajo Nation flags in the crowd, reflecting the deep regional connection to his historic moment in professional football.
Path Forward Through Waivers and Practice Squad
Pete's waiver status triggered a 24-hour window for other NFL teams to claim him AOL. If no team claims him during that period, he can return to Dallas's practice squad or explore opportunities with other franchises CBS News. Experts expect him to clear waivers and land on a practice squad, keeping his NFL dream alive despite the roster setback.
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