Pele scores 1,000

Brazilian football great Pele scores his 1,000th professional goal in a game against Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium. It was a major milestone in an illustrious career that included three World Cup championships. Pele, one of the greatest players to ever take the field, possessed an uncanny ability to anticipate the movements of his opponents and teammates. In 1974, he signed a $7 million contract with the New York Cosmos and did much to promote football in the United States. He retired in 1977 after leading the Cosmos to the league championship. During his career, he scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games.