Derrick Rose, the former Chicago Bulls icon, had a happening career that saw the star struggling with injuries. However, it was his perseverance along with his raw talent that managed to win the hearts of the fans. It appears that not even retirement managed to slow down the former NBA MVP. The 36-year-old retired basketball player has been making moves and giving back to the community and fans who have supported him till now. But how is this one move inspiring fans?

It was just last month when he connected with fans at a special event. Rose spread love in his home city as he paid homage to his last name and gave away thousands of roses as a token of appreciation to his fans. Fans gathered outside the store as early as 5 a.m. to meet the 3 times NBA All-Star. However, this isn’t it, Rose soon came back and announced a new multi-year deal.

He’s partnering with Panini for trading cards. D-Rose stated, “They have grown the category globally. Which makes them the best partner for me to reach my fans all over the world.” At the time, Rose built up the anticipation for the future and it seemed that he had a message to share with his fans through this. Recently, he took to Instagram to share a video of himself signing a paper, however, he also used the chance to write three lines as a message to the fans. He wrote, “Self Identity, Self Knowledge, Self Revelation” before signing at the end.

He even had an intriguing message in his caption, writing, “You just care about fame huh???”. It appears that Rose is now focusing on self-discovery and is advising his fans to do the same as well. He wants to show that his bond with his fans is stronger than just popularity. Being someone at the height of such popularity, Rose is now looking to share his wisdom with his fans through various means. This seems to be one of the many ways in which ‘Pooh’ is looking out for his fans while also reconnecting with fans in new and meaningful ways. In the meantime, he’s also exploring his identity beyond basketball. Speaking of exploring identity, the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009 has found a new passion other than basketball as of late.

From hardboard to chessboard: Derrick Rose finds another passion to pursue

Considering Rose’s dedication to basketball, it may seem surprising to some. However, his post-retirement life has revealed a surprising passion: chess. Just recently, Derrick Rose revealed that he had been actively following the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025. It appears he’s particularly interested in Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top chess player. Rose’s Instagram stories reveal his fascination with the game. One post featured Spock from Star Trek playing 3D chess, captioned, “Me remixing this beautiful game.”

Rose has also expressed his gratitude towards Carlsen, claiming that the latter helped him understand that basketball was only a part of his journey, not the end. Even in his current stories, he has shared how Marcel Duchamp quit making art to “becoming a competitive chess player.” Rose felt a feeling of fellowship from Duchamp, who went through a similar journey he is going through now. He even wrote, “We on the same mission I see!!!” to show his hopes for himself.

Rose’s newfound passion for chess is intriguing. It shows another side to the former basketball star. He’s embracing new challenges and expanding his horizons. His involvement with chess goes beyond casual interest. He’s actively following the professional scene and expressing his admiration for top players. What do you think about Rose’s newfound passion? Do share your thoughts.