PJ Rose was as big a fan favorite in Chicago as his father was. (Twitter/120sports)
In a blockbuster NBA trade, Derrick Rose has been traded from the Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks. In exchange, the Bulls will get Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and Jose Calderon. The Knicks, in addition to acquiring Rose, get Justin Holiday, as well as a second-round draft pick next year.
It’s the end of the Derrick Rose era in Chicago, an era which had it’s fair share of ups and downs, years where Rose was one of the bright stars of the league and years where people wondered if Rose was ever going to play at all. While he will be missed in Chicago for the good times and the great games he put up there, one of the biggest parts of Derrick Rose that will be missed there is his son, Derrick “PJ” Rose, Jr. PJ had become something of a minor celebrity in Chicago, frequently going viral purely on being an adorable kid in a photograph. Derrick may have been the face of the Bulls franchise, but PJ had become the face of the family – literally, if you include the shirts.
Here is what you need to know about PJ Rose.
1. His nickname, P.J., is Based On Derrick Rose’s Old Nickname, Pooh
Derrick Rose’s childhood nickname was Pooh. (Getty)
PJ Rose was born on October 9, 2012. His birth name is Derrick Rose, Jr. But his nickname comes from his father, according to USA Today. Derrick Rose’s nickname is Pooh, and as such his son his Pooh, Jr., or PJ for short. The original nickname of Rose goes back to his childhood in Chicago.
PJ was born at a time when Rose was still rehabbing the injury to his knee. It was a humbling time for Rose, having to reach out for help from those around him, telling USA Today “With that injury, you can’t walk. You need help… Knowing that, it’s all right for someone that loves you to take care of you.” Having a newborn son in his life, however, helped change his perspective and his outlook. Having been helped by those around him, he now had the drive to help his own son: “Everything stopped when he was born. I try to spoil him as much as possible, not only with material stuff, but just being around him with love and support, letting him know that I will always be there.”
2. He Had Shown Up At His Father’s Press Conferences with the Bulls
PJ Rose became a sensation at a young age – even younger than he is now, as he’s not yet 4. At the age of 2, Rose became a Bulls fan favorite at the age of 1 when cameras saw him walking down the tunnel at a Bulls game. The image of a 1 year old holding a basketball was all it took for fans to fall in love.
In the 2015 playoffs, PJ returned during a series against the Cavaliers. After a tough loss in Game 4, he was seen in the stadium wearing a Bulls jersey, and sat with his father at the press conference. Ironically, Derrick Rose is a White Sox fan – PJ’s mother picked the jersey.
3. He and His Dad Threw Out the First Pitch at a Chicago Cubs Game
PJ Rose doesn’t quite bask in the limelight like daddy… @drose throwing out the 1st pitch w/his son at Wrigley
PJ quickly became a local celebrity, nearly on par with his father. As such, last May, the Chicago Cubs asked father and son to come throw out the first pitch at a game.
Despite his experience on camera at this point, PJ is still shy, and it took some time to convince him to walk to the pitcher’s mound. With his dad by his side, reminding him how to throw and where to throw, he successfully threw the pitch, to the massive cheers of the Cubs crowd.
4. A Picture of PJ Meeting Kobe Bryant During His Final Season Went Viral
The first pitch wasn’t even the first time PJ Rose went viral in the sports world this year. In February, the legendary Kobe Bryant came to Chicago to play the Bulls – the last time he would ever play them, as he was in his final season, going through something of a retirement tour.
In his time at Chicago, Kobe got to meet a local celebrity! None other than PJ Rose was there and got to meet the NBA legend, coolly fist-bumping him as his father watched on. Pictures, videos, and Vines quickly spread of the fist bump. It was another big honor in the impressive life of a 3 year old boy.
5. Derrick Rose Has Worn Shirts with PJ’s Face on Them, Which Are Available for Sale
Thanks for all the love on my PJ shirt, get yours at t.co/mDMQdEK9tH
Perhaps PJ’s constant place in the Chicago spotlight is the work of his father, always sensing a good marketing opportunity when he sees one. In November of 2015, Rose answered questions from the media in front of a locker, standard post-game protocol. The only difference is that he was wearing a white t-shirt with PJ’s face on it.
It was indeed a good marketing opportunity, as there was soon clamoring for the chance to get a shirt. Rose happily obliged in a Tweet, sending people to the website of a company called ZipTank, where a shirt was available.