Does this mean that unless everyone who you deem great and worthy get praise, people can't respect humans they heard of, grew up watching or had as idols?

In Pele's case, you really should read about that man and what he did outside the game he was famous for.

You're someone who managed to find hackernews, make an account and you have no excuse for not informing yourself before writing such a stupid comment. Correct it next time you get the urge to classify who should praise who and when.