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Soccer Legend Pele Passes Away at 82

One of the most enduring sports figures of all time, Pele passed away on Thursday (December 29). He was 82. He had undergone treatment for colon cancer for some time….

Pele

31 Oct 2000: Pele during an AXA photocall at Wembley in London. Mandatory Credit: Clive Mason /Allsport

One of the most enduring sports figures of all time, Pele passed away on Thursday (December 29). He was 82. He had undergone treatment for colon cancer for some time.

Pele's agent Joe Fraga confirmed his death with The Associated Press.

A winner of three World Cups -- the only player to ever do so -- for his native Brazil, Pele put futbol on the map across the world over.

He was once knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997. He was also a politician -- Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sport -- a wealthy businessman, and an ambassador for UNESCO and the United Nations.

At the tail end of his career, at age 34, he played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, and led the franchise to the 1977 league title, and scored 64 goals in three seasons. His final game, an exhibition between the Cosmos and Santos scored over 77,000 spectators at Giants Stadium.

Reaction on social media was somber and reflective.

Remembering a Legend

The A.P. Reflects

Pele's influence

"Thanks for everything."

Ian O'Connor of the Post Reacts

Top 5 Pele Moments

Family Statement

Just Learned of his passing ...

MLS response

Pele with Joe Namath

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Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.