Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose spoke with the media for the first time since warming up in a t-shirt with “I can’t breathe” in memory of Eric Garner who died in police custody in New York.
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Derrick Rose has a reputation as a player who has let his play do the talking for him and is one of the few superstar athletes in any sport who has not been out in front of a microphone to deliver a quote.
That’s just not his personality, but Rose spoke volumes when he wore a t-shirt on Friday with “I can’t breathe” in reference to Eric Garner who was placed in a choke hold by New York City police officer Daniel Pantoleo and went into cardiac arrest after he said that he couldn’t breathe.
His death was ruled a homicide but a grand jury did not indict Pantoleo which sparked outrage in the community and led to protests across the country.
Rose addressed the reasons why he had the shirt made, how the story weighed on him personally and how many were hurt as a result of what transpired.
Rose speaks to media for about 15 minutes. Very open and honest about his decision to wear shirt. Happy for the support he's gotten.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 8, 2014
Rose said he probably wouldn't have worn the shirt a couple years before becoming a father.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 8, 2014
Rose "I was just showing support. I think both stories they were touching stories and I just wanted to show my support by wearing the shirt"
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 8, 2014
Rose said he got the shirt made. It was his decision to wear the shirt. "I wanted to support something that happened."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 8, 2014
Rose: "I'm not saying all cops are bad or anything, I'm just saying what happened them days is uncalled for ..."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 8, 2014
Rose: "And I think that hurt a lot of people. It hurt the nation."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 8, 2014
DR:"I don't want my son growing up being scared of the police or even having that thought on his mind that something like that could happen"
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 8, 2014
Professional athletes don’t often speak out on issues like these for a myriad of reasons, but I think you have to respect Rose taking a stand for something he believes in.
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