Being called a “Momma’s boy” is considered an insult on most schoolyards. But if you call Derrick Rose that, he considers it a compliment. Before each game, he blows a kiss to his mom and you will find her name tattooed on his hand along with an image of a rose.
Says Rose: “The reason I’m playing is because of her.”
Brenda Rose worked hard to protect her son as he grew up and to make sure he didn’t have to worry about tight financial issues the family may have been in. She tried to raise Derrick right and always told him, “Just because you can play basketball doesn’t make you better than anyone.”
It seems like she knew what she was doing. This season, his third in the NBA, he revitalized the Chicago Bulls and led them to the league’s best record (62-20). After being drafted by the Bulls out of Memphis, some thought he was undersized, but he has shown all the naysayers that he has the heart of a champion. And now, he’s just been named named the league’s most valuable player. At just 22, he’s also the youngest NBA player ever to achieve that accolade.
He has become a hero to many in the Chicago area, but who is Derrick Rose’s MVP? During a signing session at the start of the NBA season, we asked him to inscribe the name of his hero next to his signature for use on new trading card releases. The inscription should come as no surprise to those who know Derrick; he simply wrote, “mom.”
With Mother’s Day occurring this weekend, Upper Deck is sharing these five signed cards from Derrick Rose with Certified Diamond Dealers in the Chicago area to use for promotions in their shops. As you may have heard, Upper Deck is doing more to promote Certified Diamond Dealers these days and this is just another example. If you are in the Chicago area and would love to add one of these special cards to your collection, contact these shops to find out how you could win one!
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Bleachers Sports
Keith McDonough
557 Chestnut Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847)441-7767
Email: [email protected]
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Galaxy Stores
Steve Chou
1235 South Naper Boulevard
Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: (630)637-0187
Email: [email protected]
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Fox Sports Cards
Dan Fox
1100 Tower Square
Marion, IL 62959
Phone: (618)997-3800
Email: [email protected]
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Jim & Steve’s Sportscards
Steve Wilson
2909 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: (847)244-1981
Email: [email protected]
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Elite Sportscards & Comics
John Merkel
2028 West Montrose
Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: (773)784-1396
Email: [email protected]
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Happy Mother’s Day to Brenda Rose and all the other moms out there from your friends at Upper Deck! Father’s Day is up next, shop early for the Bulls fan on your list by clicking here.