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Derrick Rose retires, places ad in Detroit Free Press
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Derrick Rose retires, places ad in Detroit Free Press

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Derrick Rose announced his retirement from the NBA on Thursday after a 16-year playing career, thanking the game of basketball for placing ads in local newspapers in the cities where he played.

That also applies to the Detroit Free Press — Rose played parts of two seasons for the Detroit Pistons — in Thursday’s print edition.

Rose, now 35, signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Pistons in free agency in 2019. He played in 50 of a possible 66 games in 2019-20 before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the final month of the team’s season. He averaged 18.1 points on 49% shooting and 5.6 assists, establishing himself as a fan favorite among Pistons fans.

He played 15 games for the Pistons in 2020-21 before being traded to the New York Knicks for Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round pick.

Rose, the 2010-11 NBA MVP and a three-time All-Star, posted photos of himself on his Instagram account as newspapers announced his retirement.

More: Cade Cunningham wants Detroit Pistons to emulate red-hot Tigers: ‘I believe we’re next’

Rose also placed advertisements in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Commercial Appeal, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Minneapolis Star Tribune.

A powerful, mega-athlete at 6-foot-3 guard, Rose starred in high school in Chicago, spent a year in college in Memphis, and led the Tigers to the national championship game before becoming the No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2008 NBA draft.

Advertisement in Derrick Rose Newspaper

Here is Rose’s full letter about her retirement, which says the same thing in all six newspapers:

“Thank you, my first love…

You believed in me through the highs and lows, you were my constant when everything seemed uncertain.

You showed me what love really meant. You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely.

Because of you, every early morning and late night we spent together was worth every drop of sweat.

You reminded me that I could always count on you, that in every moment of doubt you would show me what I was capable of.

You introduced me to new places and cultures that a kid from Chicago could never imagine.

You taught me that every loss is a lesson and every victory is a reason to be thankful.

You offered wisdom that wasn’t just about the game, but about life, discipline, hard work and perseverance.

You showed me that passion is something to be cherished. You made me put my heart and soul into every dribble, every shot and every move.

You stayed with me even when the world seemed to be against me. You stayed with me unconditionally and waited for me to help you.

You gave me a gift, our time together, a gift that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

You told me it was okay to say goodbye and assured me that you would always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me.

Forever yours, Derrick Rose”