Derrick Rose’s Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Derrick Rose experienced a wave of emotions as he prepared to have his No. 1 jersey retired by the Chicago Bulls after their matchup against the Boston Celtics. Growing up in a challenging environment in Chicago’s South Side and rising to prominence with the franchise he idolized, Rose reflected on the significance of this honor.
“I cry every day”
when discussing his journey and the joy of returning to his hometown. Rose emphasized his desire to support local communities, stating,
“That’s one of the reasons why I came back, is to curate things and to employ people.”
Joining Bulls Legends
Joining an elite group of Bulls legends—Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan, and Bob Love—who have had their numbers retired, Rose was visibly emotional as he prepared for the ceremony. A video released by the Bulls showed his reaction upon seeing the banner for the first time, capturing his astonishment as he exclaimed,
“Wow, are you serious?”
before touching the commemorative display with his own hands.
Rose shared the spotlight with family and former teammates, including Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and Kirk Hinrich. He graciously noted,
“This ain’t only for me, man. It’s for everybody. I wouldn’t have gotten this far if it weren’t for the knowledge gained during our shared experiences.”
In response, Noah encapsulated the moment’s significance, calling it
“our championship moment.”
Fan Support and Tributes
Fans showed their support by wearing black Rose jerseys and the Bulls shared video messages from other icons like Jordan and Pippen congratulating him. On the day of the retirement, Rose also honored his origins by leaving flowers from his own shop in both teams’ locker rooms prior to the game.
This tribute isn’t the first time the Bulls acknowledged Rose’s contributions; a previous homage occurred on January 4, 2025, a date symbolizing his legacy and jersey numbers from his time with the Bulls, Knicks, and at Simeon Career Academy.
Career Highlights and Future Endeavors
Recognized as the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, Rose quickly became the youngest player to win the NBA MVP title at 22, making a significant impact in his early career before injuries sidelined him, including a major knee injury in the 2012 playoffs that kept him out for nearly two years.
Throughout his career, Rose has averaged impressive stats, including 17.4 points and 5.2 assists during 723 regular-season games. His early performance saw him average 21 points per game before his injury, but he has chosen not to fixate on the past. Now at 37, he is more invested in his family and entrepreneurial ventures, such as his online flower shop and encouraging youth involvement in chess.
“I didn’t want that. I wanted to curate things or be in lanes that nobody was in.”
His commitment to his community and engaging in diverse pursuits highlights a new chapter in his life beyond the basketball court.
