Fans React to Bulls Retiring Derrick Rose Jersey

On Saturday, it was announced that eight-year former Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will become just the fifth Windy City player to see his No. 1 jersey retired, joining Hall of Fame shooting guard Michael Jordan, Hall of Fame small forward Scottie Pippen, three-time All-Star swingman Bob Love and two-time All-Star guard Jerry Sloan (who made the Hall of Fame as a coach) in the United Center rafters.

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This news came as a bit of a surprise.

Chicago traded Rose away ahead of the 2016-17 season, and had numerous opportunities to bring him back into the fold when he was still a useful role player, but opted not to. While the Bulls did sign two of Rose's former All-Star teammates, small forward Luol Deng and center Joakim Noah, to one-day deals so that they could officially retire with Chicago, the team chose not to do that with Rose when announced his retirement this fall.

Chicago President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf, son of 88-year-old Jerry, relayed the team's decision to Rose recently. The Bulls' social media team was on the scene.

"Even this weekend, it's supposed to be about you, but you made it about the fans, which is incredible," Reinsdorf told Rose. "But I'm telling you right now, next year, when we retire your number in the rafters, it's going to be more about you than the fans."

"Wow," Rose said, before stepping away to take the moment in.

Former Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose addresses the media before a game between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks at the United Center on January 4, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

"So I'm just telling you, nobody's wearing that number one jersey again unless PJ [Rose's eldest son, currently 12] unless PJ is a Bull, then he's wearing that No. 1 jersey, all right? Is that fair?"

Rose chuckled, nodding, and subsequently hugged Reinsdorf and other attendant Bulls staffers.

The 2011 league MVP played eight injury-plagued of his 16 NBA seasons in Chicago. But when he was on, there were few better.

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In addition to being the youngest MVP in history, Rose was a three-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA honoree while with Chicago. ACL and meniscus tears sapped him of his otherwordly athleticism, and nagging injuries ultimately cut short the prime of what had looked like a possible Hall of Fame career.

Fans took to social media to react to the news of Rose's enshrinement among fellow Chicago legends.

Some took umbrage with Hall of Fame Bulls majority owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who's long been the subject of criticism from pundits and the Chicago faithful.

The Bulls' front office came under fire more broadly for their decision-making, which user @BillsMusee believed hadn't been effective since Jordan departed the Bulls for good in 1998.

In fairness, the Bulls' now-former front office, lead by team president John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman, did draft Rose with the No. 1 pick in 2008, and built elite squads around them that did their darnedest to compete for championships from the 2010-11 season through 2014-15. Paxson also selected three eventual All-Star Rose teammates in center Joakim Noah, small forward Luol Deng, and swingman Jimmy Butler.

Another appreciator shouted out the Englewood-born Rose's Chicago ties.

Chicago was questioned for its decision to honor Rose ahead of other Bulls greats. Hall of Fame former Bulls champions Dennis Rodman and Toni Kukoc; Hall of Fame former Chicago center Artis Gilmore; former All-Stars Noah, Deng and Horace Grant; Hall of Fame ex-Chicago small forward Chet Walker; former All-NBA Bulls point guard Norm Van Lier; and three-time champion center Bill Cartwright could all be contenders for the honor at some point.

The brevity of Rose's Bulls prime was noted in a critique of the move. Rose made three All-Star teams and one All-NBA team, but was never the same after 2012.

Ahead of the Bulls' matchup with the New York Knicks on Saturday, Rose was seen putting up shots alongside current Chicago players in team warmups.

Chicago is commemorating Rose's career with a "Derrick Rose Night" celebration, the culmination of a weeklong event across the city remembering his MVP-era glories. New York, currently 24-11 on the year, is led by Rose's longtime head coach Tom Thibodeau, who guided Rose during the latter's stints with Chicago, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Knicks.

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