Running. Whether the ball greets the palm after every dribble or not, no one’s allowed to stop running.
The pace of the game stops for no one, even when the game is over, suddenly, one’s legacy lies within the mouths of fans and fellow athletes. Yet the expectation is to rise back up after every fall, at the same pace. Keep going. Keep running.
It isn’t until one can no longer get up again when the pace brings itself to stop, followed by a stretcher and a crowd that can no longer cheer.
Much like an audience witnessing an injury, Derrick Martell Rose, the 2011 MVP from Chicago left fans in shock upon announcing his sudden retirement on Sept. 26.
The three-time All-Star announced his retirement through a love letter he wrote to the sport of basketball, posted to his social media accounts.
Rose had a rise to superstardom in the NBA, becoming the youngest league MVP in history at the age of 22. However, just one year removed from this feat, Rose would tear his ACL in the 2012 playoffs, an injury from which he would never return from.
A once high-flying finisher in the league, Rose’s explosive play style began to catch up to him, as injuries plagued his remaining years in the league and impacted his performance.
Following the initial injury, Rose never received another NBA award and would play for six more teams, never longer than two seasons, after his tenure with the Chicago Bulls ended in 2016.
Despite Rose’s big injury in 2012, he did not retire until 2024. He came back from every injury which students said showed them that passion can overcome the worst of circumstances.
Being that his feet may never pace down the hardwood floors again, Howard students believe his legacy and impact will.
“Derrick Rose had a huge impact on me. He went to Simeon and showed me that it was possible to make it,” Calvin Robins Jr., a Howard men’s basketball freshman forward and Chicago native, said. “He set up a blueprint of how to do it through hard work.”
Malcolm Fleming, a Chicagoan and fan of Rose, gave a testament to the feeling that Rose instilled in his home-city.
“Derrick Rose was an extremely influential player. Growing up in Chicago, he was our real hope. He was a winning player,” Fleming said.
Further than a feeling, Rose’s acrobatics on the court and dedication off of it translated to real life lessons for fans.
“You would constantly hear his name,” Robins Jr. said. Rose’s legacy taught him to “never give up” while teaching Fleming the importance of “perseverance.”
For some, with injury comes “what ifs?” After witnessing Rose’s many injuries, the media speculated if Rose would ever be the same again.
Robins Jr. had those same “what ifs” after breaking his foot last year and being away from basketball for eight months.
“Couldn’t walk without a scooter and crutches for seven months. It was extremely depressing and taught me that I’m stronger than what I think I am,” the forward said.
Considering such a difficult time, Robins Jr. was able to get something out of his time away.
“I created my own business with the time I had off. Learned to not take things for granted,” Robins Jr. said. He said he was able to bounce back through “giving himself grace…God helped a lot with that.”
Upon being injured, Fleming said it caused him to reform his game.
“Being someone that was hurt, it’s a lot. I had changes in my game. You have to learn how to redo everything,” said freshman Fleming.
He even noticed some changes within Rose’s game, recounting that “he had lost some of his explosiveness, speed, athleticism and things that made him, Derrick Rose.”
Robins Jr. said what sets Rose apart as an athlete was the fact that his ability to impact others was not dependent on his on-court dominance.
“Derrick Rose through his injuries was always special. You could always tell he was special on the court like he never lost anything,” Robins Jr. said.
Fleming said that he “almost shed a tear” upon witnessing Rose’s speech after his 50-point performance with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Regardless of any challenges, one may just have to keep on running.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
