Get This

Pele Through the Lens of Walter Iooss

While my son hunted a new Ranger’s Apprentice book this afternoon at B&N, I was browsing the Sports shelves. A coffee-table book entitled Athlete caught my eye. A quick glance and I knew why: It’s a fascinating compendium of the work of Walter Iooss, maybe the most celebrated sports photographer of our generation.

As the copywriter on the Umbro relationship back in the late 80s while working with The Burris Agency, I was fortunate to meet Pelé (then an endorser for the brand in the U.S.). I actually wrote a few ads to commemorate the greatest to ever lace up the boots. On and off the field, Pelé was one of a kind.

Iooss earned Pelé’s respect, and the two combined for many great shots that would buoy the Umbro brand. So it was natural for me to fast-forward through the book to see if one of the shots from a Pelé session made the cut.

And there it was. Not just Pelé, but the legend with sweat pouring down his face, caressing an Umbro Ultra. Twenty years later, the image still resonates, showing Pelé’s love for the “Beautiful Game.” I couldn’t resist buying the book.

I cheated a bit and snapped a picture on my iPhone to give you a “frame” of reference (pardon that). Hope you enjoy and will consider the book for your own coffee table.

No comments yet.

Leave a comment