Few athletes transcend all sports and cultures around the world. All sports have their fanatics, but there are very few athletes that everyone has heard of, even if they are not a fan of the sport.
Pele, who won multiple World Cups as a member of the Brazilian national team, and later came to the United States to play in the former North American Soccer League for the New York Cosmos in the mid 70s, lost his battle to cancer today at age of 82.
Pele was the ultimate ambassador for his sport. Soccer was a game of art and beauty to him and he was glad to share it with everyone around him. His signing by the New York Cosmos created a soccer frenzy in the United States. Fans poured into the former Meadowlands Arena to watch him and the Cosmos teams play. Pele’s spot on the team brought sellout crowds in excess of 70,000 to watch him play. Many have credited him with being the spark of the enthusiasm of the sport that continues to grow even today.
Tributes have poured in today across international media by current and former soccer greats as well as athletes, fans, and media of other sports and all across the world. Few athletes have touched the world as Pele did. Even if you are not a fan of the game, chances are, you knew who he was.
The Great Pele will be missed.
