Shiyazh Pete just went from an undrafted rookie to a name every Dallas Cowboys fan is searching this week. This guide breaks down his age, family, education, and career in plain language, plus the real story behind why he’s trending right now.
Background: Who Is Shiyazh Pete?
Shiyazh Tastohyinya Pete is an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, and he holds a piece of NFL history: he’s the first Navajo player to ever sign with an NFL team. That alone would make him a story worth following, but it’s his path to get there that has people typing his name into search bars.
He was born on May 25, 2003, in Ronan, Montana, on the Flathead Indian Reservation, and grew up moving between several states as his family followed his father’s military career. He played college ball at New Mexico State and then Kentucky before going undrafted in 2026 and signing with Dallas as a free agent. Since then, his story has picked up steam fast, especially among Native American communities who see him as a genuine trailblazer.
People are searching his name for a mix of reasons: curiosity about his background, interest in his size and skill as a lineman, and now, a viral moment that happened over the weekend. Here’s what’s actually confirmed.
Latest Update
As of August 23, 2026, here is what’s currently known. Shiyazh Pete played six snaps for the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on August 22, 2026, a 34-13 Cowboys win in Glendale, Arizona. A large crowd of Navajo Nation supporters showed up at State Farm Stadium specifically to cheer him on, and he received a standing ovation from the crowd when he checked into the game.
📅 Key date: August 22, 2026 — Pete’s preseason appearance against Arizona, followed by a locker-room speech that went viral the next morning.
After the game, head coach Brian Schottenheimer asked Pete to address the team in the locker room, and a short clip of that speech was posted to the Cowboys’ social media accounts the following morning. The clip spread quickly among football fans online, which is the main reason his name is trending right now. There is no confirmed news of an injury, contract change, or roster cut involving Pete as of this writing — the trending activity is tied entirely to his preseason performance and the viral speech, not to any negative development.
✅ Fact check: No death, arrest, scandal, or injury claims about Shiyazh Pete could be verified anywhere in current reporting. Anything you see suggesting otherwise should be treated as unconfirmed.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Pete comes from a blended tribal background. His father, Natani, is from the Navajo and Salish tribes and grew up in Arlee, Montana, while his mother, Geraldine, is full-blooded Navajo from Tółikan, Arizona. He grew up mostly in Missoula, Montana, where he tried judo and won a regional gold medal as a young kid, before his family later moved to Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico as his father’s military postings changed.
Career Path
Pete didn’t start playing football until seventh grade. He played high school ball at Shiprock High School in New Mexico after his first school didn’t even have a team. He then walked on at New Mexico State University in 2021, worked his way into a starting left tackle role by 2022, and earned first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2023 despite finishing that season with a dislocated thumb in a cast. After transferring to Kentucky for his final year of eligibility, he started all 12 games and was named a team captain. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft but signed with the Dallas Cowboys right afterward, becoming the first Navajo Nation player in league history.
Age
Pete was born on May 25, 2003, which makes him 23 years old as of this article’s publish date.
Religion
Pete’s specific religious affiliation is not publicly confirmed. What is documented is that he practices and values Navajo cultural traditions, has danced at powwows, and speaks basic Navajo, but this is cultural identity rather than a stated religion, so any specific faith claim should be treated as unconfirmed.
Spouse/Partner
There is no public information confirming that Shiyazh Pete is married or in a relationship. This should be treated as unconfirmed rather than assumed either way.
Net Worth
No verified net worth figure exists for Pete. As an undrafted rookie, his earnings would follow the NFL’s standard undrafted free agent scale, but no specific confirmed dollar figure for his personal net worth is available from a credible source, so any number circulating online should be treated as an estimate at best.
Parents
His father, Natani Pete, served in the U.S. Marine Corps before becoming a Captain in the U.S. Army. His mother, Geraldine, works as an educator.
Height
Pete measures roughly 6 feet 9 inches (2.05 meters) tall, with a playing weight of around 308 to 320 pounds depending on the source.
Education
Pete earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from New Mexico State University in May 2025, continuing those online classes even after he transferred to Kentucky. At Kentucky, he was also working toward a graduate certificate in public administration.
Hometown/State of Origin
He was born in Ronan, Montana, and later lived on the Navajo reservation in Apache County, Arizona, before finishing high school in Shiprock, New Mexico.
Official Social Media
You can find his verified account on Instagram: @shiyazhpete
Quick Facts Table
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shiyazh Tastohyinya Pete |
| Date of Birth | May 25, 2003 |
| Age | 23 (as of August 2026) |
| Birthplace | Ronan, Montana |
| Position | Offensive Tackle/Guard, No. 75 |
| Current Team | Dallas Cowboys (NFL) |
| College | New Mexico State, Kentucky |
| Height | Approx. 6’9″ (2.05 m) |
| Weight | Approx. 308–320 lbs |
| Parents | Natani Pete (father), Geraldine Pete (mother) |
| Spouse/Partner | Unconfirmed |
| Net Worth | Unconfirmed |
| Notable Distinction | First Navajo Nation player signed to an NFL team |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Who is Shiyazh Pete?
Shiyazh Pete is a Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman known for being the first player from the Navajo Nation to sign with an NFL team. He played college football at New Mexico State and Kentucky before joining Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2026.
How old is Shiyazh Pete?
He was born on May 25, 2003, making him 23 years old as of August 2026. His birthday falls in late May each year.
What team does Shiyazh Pete play for?
He plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, wearing jersey number 75. He signed with the team as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Is Shiyazh Pete the first Navajo NFL player?
Yes, multiple sports outlets and the Navajo Nation’s own presidential office confirm he is the first player from the Navajo Nation to sign with an NFL team. He is also part Salish through his father’s side.
How tall is Shiyazh Pete?
He stands about 6 feet 9 inches tall, which is significantly taller than the average NFL offensive lineman and made him a standout even in high school.
Why is Shiyazh Pete trending right now?
He’s trending because of his preseason appearance against the Arizona Cardinals on August 22, 2026, where he received a standing ovation from Navajo Nation fans, followed by a viral locker-room speech shared by the Cowboys the next day. No scandal or injury is tied to this attention.
What college did Shiyazh Pete go to?
He started at New Mexico State University as a walk-on in 2021 and transferred to the University of Kentucky for his final season of eligibility in 2025, earning a communication studies degree along the way.
⚠️ Reader note: If you see claims online about Shiyazh Pete’s marriage, net worth, or religion presented as hard fact, treat them with caution. As of this article’s publish date, none of those details have been confirmed by a credible source.
Wrap-Up
Shiyazh Pete’s story stands out in a league that rarely sees players from Native American communities reach the NFL at all, let alone become a viral moment in their rookie preseason. What makes his rise notable isn’t just the size or the skill; it’s the visible connection he’s kept to where he comes from, from speaking basic Navajo to the crowd of Navajo Nation supporters who traveled to see him play in Arizona.
Right now, his NFL career is still in its earliest stage. He hasn’t made the Cowboys’ final regular-season roster yet, and preseason snaps, while meaningful, don’t guarantee a long-term spot. That’s worth keeping in mind before assuming he’s a lock for the team going into the 2026 season.
Search interest in him is likely to keep climbing through the rest of preseason and into roster cutdown decisions. Whatever happens next, his story is already a notable first for the Navajo Nation and for the NFL as a whole, and it’s one worth checking back on as the season develops.
John Wood is the founder and lead editor of Biography Region. He researches and writes accurate, engaging biographies of celebrities, entrepreneurs, influencers, and public figures, delivering well-sourced, reader-focused content that informs and inspires.