Share and Follow
CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Bulls icon Derrick Rose recently spoke with ABC7 to share insights into his illustrious basketball journey and to discuss the upcoming event where his jersey will be retired this weekend.
This Saturday, the Bulls will honor Rose by retiring his #1 jersey, a milestone he deeply cherishes. From his humble beginnings in Englewood, where he dreamed of achieving greatness, Rose now reflects on his achievements and contemplates what the future holds.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Rose is showing a new side of himself, embracing life after basketball by charting his own path in retirement.
In discussing his decision to retire, Rose explained, “I wrestled with that decision for three or four years before stepping away… I couldn’t trade the life I was building with my family, realizing how much my presence meant to them.”
As he steps away from the game, Rose does so with a sense of fulfillment, having poured everything into his career.
“I feel like I practiced my butt off. If only people knew how much I sacrificed before every game… I wasn’t just trying to be good. I wanted to be great,” Rose said. “Once I got done, I felt that pressure off my shoulders of trying to be perfect.”
The MVP’s career didn’t come without challenges. He faced several injuries in the NBA, which caused major setbacks. He spoke about how his faith helped him get through some of the hardest times in his career.
SEE ALSO | Chicago celebrates Derrick Rose Day ahead of Bulls jersey retirement ceremony this month
“My journey went from me believing to me knowing that, I know who I am now,” Rose said. “My story alone should let you know that there is a God. There’s no way I make it out of Englewood without toting a pistol or a gun, not one time when I was younger, and I made it out!”
Making it out and coming home, Rose decided to move his family back to the city where it all began.
“Chicago is different than anywhere else in the world. I could be biased, but it’s true. The city is beautiful. The people in the city are beautiful. My kids need to experience that because that helped me with my character,” Rose said.
Rose is looking forward to giving back to the youth and starting new businesses to create more jobs for Chicagoans.
“I felt like basketball was handicapping me. It was putting boundaries,” Rose said. “I read a lot. I read a ton. That’s something I didn’t do early on and that’s led to the transformation of what you see right now.”
As for his message to fans, Rose said, “Thank you once again. Hopefully, I can meet you all. If we don’t meet in person, come celebrate with me. It’s going to be a party.”
Stepping into retirement, we are Chicago proud of our MVP.
Rose’s jersey retirement event is happening Saturday at the United Center. Tickets are still available. Rose says the night is not just about him; it is for everyone that has been a part of his basketball journey.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
