Derrick Rose recently announced his retirement before the 2024-25 season, marking the end of his remarkable 15-year career. Rose, who once captivated the league with his incredible speed and agility, discussed the decision to step away from the game during an emotional interview on the 'Club 520' podcast . In the interview, he delved into the deep personal reasons behind his choice to retire, revealing that his family—particularly his son, PJ—played a major role in his decision.
"Bruh, I been thinking about it for a while, bruh. Giving your all to your kid. So with PJ, I had to talk to him a little bit differently so before I even talked to everybody."
"We in the room it's me and him, just talking and before then, I'm thinking the whole time, when I had this conversation with him, right?"
"So we talking and he bring up Kiyan and we was just in the room talking about Melo. So I'm like, all right, it's time. I'm like, come downstairs. He come downstairs."
"I'm like, bro, how you think he got better? He was like, he working out with a trainer. I'm like, who else in the gym? He's his dad. His dad present. I'm like, you think Melo ain't got nothing to do with that?"
"At first when I told him, of course, devastated hurt, but after I kept talking to him, he was excited because he seen like, man, now I get this individual time with my dad, and like my son, he knows exactly where he's at right now."
"Like this moment, he knows exactly where he's at. So for me to tell him that and for him to be like sad at first and be excited and since that day has been nothing but love."
Rose admitted that he had been thinking about retirement for some time. For Rose, who has faced numerous injuries throughout his career, the decision was not just about the physical toll the game had taken on his body. It was also about where he wanted to focus his energy moving forward: his family, and particularly, being there for his son as he grows.
In the conversation, Rose recalled an important moment when he sat down with PJ to explain his decision. He shared that he wanted to give his son his all—something that had been on his mind for a while. Rose understood that the conversation would be difficult for PJ, who looked up to him as a professional athlete. Rose wanted to ensure that his son understood the full picture, especially in terms of how their relationship would grow with Rose's newfound availability.
A key part of the conversation revolved around Kiyan , the son of former NBA star Carmelo Anthony . Rose used Kiyan and Melo’s relationship as an example to illustrate the importance of a father being present in his child’s life, both in and outside of the gym. Rose recalled how he asked PJ. PJ responded by saying that Kiyan had been working out with a trainer, and his dad was always there. This served as a turning point for both Rose and PJ, as it made clear the significance of being present for those important moments in life.
Of course, the initial reaction from PJ was one of sadness. Rose admitted that PJ was devastated at first, but after more conversation, excitement replaced the initial hurt. PJ realized that the decision would lead to more individual time with his dad, something he had been longing for. Since then, Rose described their relationship as being filled with "nothing but love."
In deciding to retire, Derrick Rose didn’t just step away from the NBA to rest his body; he made the choice to be more present in his son’s life. For a player who had achieved so much—becoming the youngest MVP in league history in 2011 and overcoming multiple devastating injuries—it was a deeply personal decision.
His choice to prioritize his family speaks volumes about his character and the values he holds dear. As Rose enters this new chapter of his life, his impact both on and off the court remains undeniable, and his legacy will always be remembered as one of resilience, heart, and, above all, love for his family.
Related: Derrick Rose Claims Michael Jordan Wouldn't Have Become The GOAT If He Didn't Play For The Chicago Bulls
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News . We really appreciate your support.
Local News
Comments / 0