Sports Byline Classic

Edson Arantes do Nascimento. Remember that name. The spelling varies in different parts of the globe when it comes to that name. So let’s just go with one word: Pele. Whether you say "PAY-lay" like we usually do in America, or "Puh-LAY" like the rest of the world, that two-syllable moniker is synonymous for the greatest player who ever played the most popular sport in the history of the Earth. Sounds over the top, doesn’t it? It’s not.

When I first starting working in sports television, we broadcasted Pele's 50^th birthday party on SportsChannel America. It included a match of a Brazilian select team versus a World XI. I wondered if there was any other athlete who would receive a worldwide audience for an exhibition match in any sport in honor of his or her birthday. The answer would be no. I'm sure Wayne Gretzky could have his birthday televised in Canada or Manny Pacquiao could have his party shown on tv in the Philippines, but the entire world wouldn’t be so enthralled as the locals. Only the blowing out of candles by the great Pele could thrill the entire planet.

Why is he so great? Forget the fact that he’s been named a living national treasure by the Brazilian government. Try to ignore he scored over 1,000 total goals in his career. Perhaps you can neglect to recall that he was part of three World Cup winners, the first being when he was only 17. The real truth about Pele is that he was a star of a human being. His personality and friendly smile won him just as many fans as his soccer prowess. Imagine that you could televise Babe Ruth's 50^th birthday. We Americans would certainly have done that. Well, Pele is the Babe Ruth for all people of every nationality.

He played nearly 20 years for Santos in the state of Sao Paulo. Nowadays any inkling of talent in Brazil sees that player swiftly bought up by a European powerhouse. But players were not as free when Pele began his career in the 1950’s. In fact, the only other club team Pele suited up for was the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League. Pele and New York were a good match: the glitz of the Big Apple and the sublime skills of a still-capable superstar. That league eventually ran itself into the ground, but for a while Pele was the toast of the one country that "didn't like" soccer: America.

Now as an ambassador for FIFA, you will still see Pele at most of the big tournaments, from the World Cup to the European Championships to the Copa America. His opinions on the game are often sullied as well as supported. Everyone wants to know what Pele thinks about the issues concerning soccer. There will be one king in the sport forever. No one will ever surpass Pele in fame and respect…and love. He is, and always will be, O Rei do Futebol.

--Rick Tittle

Listen to Ron Barr's classic interview with soccer legend Pele.