Derrick Rose has released a statement through Bulls.com regarding him flashing a gang sign at a party.  Here is his statement:

“Recently, a photo has been circulating on the Internet which appears to depict me flashing a gang sign. This photo of me was taken at a party I attended in Memphis while I was in school there, and was meant as a joke…a bad one, I now admit. I want to emphatically state, now and forever, that Derrick Rose is anti-gang, anti-drug, and anti-violence. I am not, nor have I ever been, affiliated with any gang and I can’t speak loudly enough against gang violence, and the things that gangs represent.

In posing for this picture, I am guilty of being young, naive and of using extremely poor judgment. I sincerely apologize to all my fans for my mistake. I pride myself on being a good citizen, and role model, that young people can look up to and I want to urge all my young fans to stay away from gangs and gang-related activities.”

A very good message from Derrick Rose, denouncing the violence associated with most gangs.

A picture has surfaced on the internet of Derrick Rose flashing the hand symbol for the Gangster Disciples gang, which originated on the South Side of Chicago.

There’s not really a lot to comment on this picture, other than it looks like there is a lot of smoke in that room, and to say that I hope that Rose isn’t down with the gang lifestyle.