Pele revolutionized soccer in the United States as well. His time with the New York Cosmos changed soccer in one of the countries where he is less famous, but that did not prevent crowds from watching him play.
Pele and the NFL: He almost played football with the Giants and his great relationship with Tom Brady
Although it also stole the attention of other sports, such as the NFL. Being in New York, Pele also had contact with the Giants who invited him to be a kicker, something that did not displease the King, but he had a conflict with kicking the ball out of the frame.
“One time, I was called up by the New York Giants to play kicker. I don’t think I got used to kicking the ball over the crossbar as they do,” Pele joked in an interview with the New York Post.
But his relationship with the NFL did not end there, because many years later the O’REI surrendered to one of the legends of American football, Tom Brady, to whom he sent a message prior to Super Bowl LV when Tom Brady beat Kansas City with the Buccaneers.
A year later, that is, in February of this year. Pele appeared again on his social networks to dedicate an emotional message to Brady just the day he announced his retirement from the NFL, saying “My friend, Tom Brady, congratulations on your beautiful trip. You are a legend. As of today, an era in sport also ends.”
The message was accompanied by a photo of Pele with Brady in 2013 when both were part of an advertising campaign and the Brazilian star can be seen wearing an American helmet.
Não tinha como Tom Brady perder o Super Bowl LV depois de receber esse recado do Rei. Descanse em paz, @Pele! 👑 #RIPPele | #DescanseEmPazPele pic.twitter.com/g2Za14WvkU
— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) December 29, 2022
Pelé and Brady forged a friendship with Gisele Bündchen, who on countless occasions shared the stage with Pelé as ambassadors of Brazil.
Tom Brady sends message for Pele’s death
Before the news of the death of Pelé, Brady went out to his social networks to dedicate an emotional message to Pelé in addition to remembering the moment in which both shared that advertising campaign.