Shiyazh Pete’s NFL journey took an unexpected turn after the Dallas Cowboys released him while finalizing their 53-player roster.
Shiyazh Pete made history with the Cowboys
Pete had been living the beginning of a remarkable story. The young offensive lineman became the first member of the Navajo Nation to sign with an NFL team, inspiring an entire locker room and winning over thousands of fans.
His breakthrough moment came during the Cowboys’ preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. Known as Pooh Bear, Pete thrilled his teammates, attracted widespread attention on social media and became the focus of one of the NFL preseason’s most emotional moments.
A large number of Navajo fans attended the game to support him, and Pete received a standing ovation that even surprised the coaching staff.
Pete’s emotional Cowboys locker-room speech went viral
Pete later starred in another moment that quickly spread online. After head coach Brian Schottenheimer asked him to deliver a speech in the Cowboys locker room, the offensive lineman gave a rallying message that resonated with his teammates and social media users.
His speech focused on the path the team had traveled together and the brotherhood that football can create. The message sparked an enormous reaction inside the team, and the video became a social media sensation.
Dallas Cowboys release Pete before final roster cuts
Despite the excitement surrounding Pete, his story took a much harsher turn when the Cowboys made their final moves to reach the 53-player limit. Dallas cut Pete, making him a free agent.
The contrast was striking. Just days earlier, his teammates had celebrated his words in the locker room and thousands of people had shared his story. Now, the player who became a symbol for the Navajo community must wait for another opportunity in the NFL.
Leaving the Cowboys does not necessarily mark the end of Pete’s football journey. As a free agent, he can sign with another NFL team and could also receive an opportunity on a practice squad.
Pete was born on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Roanan, Montana. According to the El Paso Times, he began playing football in seventh grade before transferring to Shiprock High School in New Mexico during his sophomore year.
Pete could still return to Dallas and join the Cowboys’ practice squad if another team does not claim him.
His story is another reminder that even the most powerful narrative cannot guarantee a place on an NFL roster the next day. For Pete, the next chapter may still be waiting.
