President Ford Welcomes Pelé to the White House

In this photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick, President Gerald R. Ford welcomes soccer superstar Pelé in the Rose Garden of the White House on June 28, 1975. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé visited the White House while in town with his team the New York Cosmos, who were scheduled to play against the Washington Diplomats in a North American Soccer League match that weekend. Pelé showed President Ford his juggling skills, seen here, before the president tried his hand at the soccer skill. Also attending the event were Joao Augusto de Araujo Castro, Brazilian ambassador to the United States; Joseph Danzansky, owner of the New York Cosmos; Clive Toye, general manager of the Cosmos; Steven Leipsner, general manager of the Washington Diplomats; and Julio Mazzei, Pelé’s adviser and longtime friend, who served as his interpreter.