By admin 
The city of Chicago is often portrayed as a dangerous place. Still, for those who live there or have experienced what it offers, that narrative is more of an overgeneralization.
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While the Windy City has had its share of violence and crimes, it is not entirely different from other major cities in the United States. It has a lot more to offer and one just has to look beyond what is being reported in the national media and the city’s historical reputation and if possible, see it for themselves to gain a better understanding of the place.
That is the message former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose has for those who have a preconceived notion of the city he grew up in.
A diverse city
D-Rose hails from Englewood, an area in Chicago’s South Side that has a reputation for poverty and violent crime. He had his struggles growing up, but was able to weave through them and find success, thanks to the resilience and grit he learned from his community.
As his horizons expanded, he gained a deeper appreciation for Chicago, seeing how it functions as a massive center for various industries, where one can thrive if they put in the work. It is also a place where diverse cultures are respected and celebrated.
In a recent Sports Illustrated video feature, Rose shared his thoughts on Chi-Town, highlighting what makes it special and debunking common perceptions held by outsiders.
“It’s one of the best places in the world. You just got to come here to experience it. On the outside, the narrative is that it’s dangerous. You can’t walk anywhere. But that’s only on the narrative on the outside,” the 37-year-old Rose
“When you come here, it’s something totally different. A lot of people are blown back by the scenery, the imagery, food, and culture. It’s a lot here. It’s a lot of cultures here. So, it’s a very diverse city,” he added.
On the basketball court, D-Rose made sure to represent the best of Chicago. After starring at Neal F. Simeon Career Academy on the South Side in high school and then at Memphis in college, he returned to the city when the hometown Bulls selected him first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.
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With the Bulls, he immediately made his presence felt and brought renewed competitiveness to the team. It included helping Chicago tally a 62-20 record in the 2010-11 and reach the Eastern Conference Finals after 13 seasons. The year also saw him become the NBA’s youngest MVP at 22.
Injuries eventually led him to leave the city after eight seasons, but what he accomplished in Chicago during his stay was well appreciated, earning him the status of a hometown hero to this day.
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Giving back to the community
In 2024, Rose retired from the NBA after a 15-year career. Then, back in January, the Bulls retired his No. 1 jersey.
Now in retirement, among the former NBA superstar’s activities is giving back to the community. One of his recent efforts is building a foundation geared towards employment and the youth.
“We’re building a foundation here by employing people, by giving people knowledge and just helping. So, that’s one of the reasons why I came back to the city to give and to really help the youth here,” he said.
Chicago may carry certain perceptions, but as Rose has said, one can never truly know a place until one takes the time to learn about it.
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This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 3:02 PM.