The Chicago Bulls’ celebration of Derrick Rose’s career is just beginning.
Roughly an hour after the former MVP announced his retirement, the Bulls released a goose-bumps-inducing tribute video. From Rose’s historic playoff debut to his countless poster slams to his iconic buzzer-beater, the Bulls reminded fans of precisely what made the point guard so special.
Press play and prepare to shed a tear:
What the video does better than anything is demonstrate just how electric the early 2010s were in Chicago. Basketball was back in a meaningful way, and the energy Rose would ignite in an arena remains palpable to this day.
Speaking of which, Rose is bound to receive one more standing ovation in the United Center very soon. Michael and Jerry Reinsdorf released statements on Rose’s retirement shortly after the tribute video hit the internet. Both made sure to mention that properly honoring the hometown hero is in the works.
โDrafting Derrick in 2008 was a special moment, not just for the Bulls organization, but for Derrick, the kid from Chicago, realizing his dream of playing for his hometown team,” Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement shared by Bulls dot com. “As both a player and a person, Derrick represents the grit, resilience, and heart of this city. Heโs one of the toughest and most determined athletes Iโve ever been around, constantly fighting through adversity that would have broken most. Watching him grow from a Chicago Public League star to becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history as a Bull has been nothing short of an honor. Every time Derrick stepped on the court, it felt like we had a chance to win, and his MVP season remains one of the proudest moments in this franchiseโs storied history.
I wish Derrick all the best in his retirement, knowing heโll enjoy this next chapter with his family. He will always be a part of our Bulls family, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the United Center to celebrate his incredible journey among his hometown fans.โ
Michael echoed his father’s words, stressing precisely how much he meant to the surrounding community:
โDerrick Rose will always be a Chicago Bull. From day one, Derrick embodied humility in his biggest moments and resilience in the most challenging ones,” Michael said in a statemet. “He was a once-in-a-generation talent who took the league by storm, becoming Rookie of the Year and the youngest MVP in NBA historyโhis impact at such a young age is truly remarkable. His legacy in Chicago is undeniableโhe brought this franchise back into contention, won an MVP, and, most importantly, inspired a city that will forever claim him as its own.
Off the court, it has been an honor to witness Derrick grow as a man and, most importantly, as a father. Watching him embrace fatherhood has been special, and I know his journey post-retirement has an exciting runway ahead. Derrick will always be family, and I look forward to having him and his kids back at the United Center for whatโs sure to be an unforgettable celebration of his incredible journey.โ
While we have yet to receive any other updates regarding when this celebration will be and what it will look like, I have to imagine it will not be far off. I also can’t help but think we could be in for a major surprise. Rose is the kind of organizational giant who deserves a level of recognition that goes beyond a mere pre-game retirement party.
Who will show up for the big night? Could the Bulls shock everyone and put his jersey in the rafters? Might we see a statue in his future? The Reinsdorf has avoided any such talk up until this point, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the reality of Rose’s retirement changes things. We’ll keep you updated.
Ps: The Bulls host the New York Knicks and Tom Thibodeau on January 4, 2025. I’d circle this date in pencil as a possible celebration date.