Derrick Rose Gang Sign Photo Controversy: Rose Calls It A Bad Joke

Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose moved quickly to try to tamp down a growing controversy over a photo circulating online of him flashing gang signs.

In a statement released Thursday, shortly after the Chicago Tribune and other news outlets reported on the photo, Rose called the picture a bad joke made during his one year at the University of Memphis and strongly denied that he has ever been involved in gang activity.

The full statement:

Recently, a photo has been circulating on the Internet which appears to depict me flashing a gang sign.

This photo of me was taken at a party I attended in Memphis while I was in school there, and was meant as a joke...a bad one, I now admit. I want to emphatically state, now and forever, that Derrick Rose is anti-gang, anti-drug, and anti-violence.

I am not, nor have I ever been, affiliated with any gang and I can't speak loudly enough against gang violence, and the things that gangs represent.

In posing for this picture, I am guilty of being young, naive and of using extremely poor judgment.

I sincerely apologize to all my fans for my mistake. I pride myself on being a good citizen, and role model, that young people can look up to and I want to urge all my young fans to stay away from gangs and gang-related activities.

In the picture, Rose was throwing signs for the Gangster Disciples Nation, a prominent Chicago gang with tens of thousands of members, according to the Tribune. The gang is a dominant presence in the Englewood neighborhood where Rose grew up.

Comments

[Cogs]

That stupid pose is going to hurt his marketing opportunities. A very costly mistake. He can rebuild his image by contributing more to the community and mentoring at-risk kids. Or he can play video games with his pals until training camp opens. The ball is in his court.

[ChiProgressive]

This is news?

I heard people saying (relatives of his wife) that Scottie Pippen beat his wife.

[Daly]

She could leave, he can and should PAY

[samjung23]

Who cares?

He's not a member of some religious order, he's a kid!

[chgotchr]

I'm wondering if any of those who are "commenting" on this have had any experience dealing with kids on the south side of Chicago. If you haven't then you have no idea what you are talking about. Gang life is over arching and prevalent. Every kid knows all of the signs and signals of gangs. Many of them belong to gangs, but for some young people, joining a gang is a survival strategy. GDs are all over Chicago, and Mr. Rose could very have been (is) a member.Big deal.

[postman66]

I'm from the South Side and can attest that what you say is the truth.

[AgentMacGyver]

A few years ago at the U of C, students and locals were being beaten in gang initiations on a weekly basis.

[ChiProgressive]

I knew that was GD and I'm from the far northside!
I did go to Lincoln Park High School where the security guards would cross up 5 different ways.

[YellowPanties]

I'm glad this article mentioned the gang that corresponds to the sign he is flashing in the photo. Nothing like a little free publicity for a gang, nice one.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

A drunk kid doing stupid things at a college party is news??? Has he flashed these gang signs since entering the grown-up world? No? Then let's focus our concentration on something that's relevant.

[Daly]

20-30 years from now, he can grow up; decide to seek a political office and this picture will surface.

Hue means different standards; kid like McCain (back in the day) did silly things while in service and given a total pass.

[impeach54]

Question: How does Huffington Post or anyone else besides a "Gangster Disciple" or a rival gang member know what their gang sign is??

[postman66]

Gangster Disciples are all over the country and there sign is very well known.

[ChristopherAtom]

The discovery channel has a series of shows that dedicates each one hour episode to the history of each of the better known gangs. Very enlightening.

[NKR]

Unless you grew up in a neighborhood plagued by gang violence, keep your judgments to yourself. You don't understand the reasons why he might've done this.

[ChristopherAtom]

Your on an web site where everyone has opinions and judgments. Not gonna happen.

[mindact]

Done what? Joined a gang or flashed a gang sign? Look, we all pay taxes that covers the payroll of the police force, municipal hospitals and infrastructure. That means we have a right to comment on issues related to gang violence. There is a social cost borne by all as a result of it.

Yes we understand the pressure inflicted upon young kids to join gangs, but yet again, we see the casualties as a result of gang violence. It ought to be condemned and spoken out against. Derrick didn't have to throw the sign at the party. He wasn't in a neutral zone and felt a need to strike a pose with gang signs. That was wrong and he rightfully apologized

[NKR]

I'm just saying that if you're familiar with Derrick Rose's life, you know its unlikely he joined a gang. He grew up in Englewood, on the South Side of Chicago. His grandma and brother basically regulated everyone he hung out with and everywhere he went so he didn't get caught up in that. He worked really hard and became a great basketball player. Rose seems like a nice, good guy and this seems to conflict with what people know about him.

So is it not possible that maybe he was a party where certain people "asked" him to do it? And he didn't think it was worth not doing it and risk getting his ass kicked? I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

[pjburns11]

Gosh, with at least a partial college education from a reputable school like U Memphis, you think he would know better. I wonder where he found the time, while balancing studies and sports, to party like a gangstar?

www.thetruthburns.wordpress.com

[beenn15]

gangstar? You're certainly not fit to criticize Derrick.

[ChristopherAtom]

Whether or not pj up there is fit or not ain't gonna stop "folks" from poppin some caps at Mr Rose for his blatant disrespect. There are two kinds of forks in this town, Derricks are up. He's got a 50/50 chance.

[Big0725]

What do you expect? He bounces a ball for a living. His stupidity has no effect on me whatsoever, so he can flip the finger to the president if he chooses.

[Ravenback47]

If anything, he probably got it from some rap video. A lot of these young people think it's cool to flash these gang signs. JR Smith of the Denver Nuggets holds up three fingers on each hand pointed downward when he makes a three pointer. He flashes it like a gang sign. Derrick Rose won't do it again.

[305Rider]

Yea, some rap video. It's not like he grew up in a hood that is GD turf.

[postman66]

That's excatlly were he grew up and went to high school.

[Avatar73]

I would like to know what the guy standing behind him is doing??

[memphis88]

It's Antonio Anderson (also a former Memphis Tiger) and he is throwing up an IVL sign in the uncropped picture. He was also joking around.

[BushBites]

The Bulls know whether he's involved in that stuff or not.

They research the character of all their draft picks.

Just like the Falcons knew what Vick was up to but pretended they didn't

Well Bulls? What do you know?

[Smurfaveli]

LOL. Gotta satisfy the status quo. Anybody with any sense knows he probably wasn't bangin' because of his basketball status in Chicago, but he was affiliated.

[305Rider]

He may still be. He went to Menphis, & there's a lot of Dz there.

[Proxy11]

Yeah I'm sure he was just joking.

[pghnappyrhino]

that's what he said. any evidence to the contrary?

another "nontroversy".