The United Center was electric this past weekend. Seeing Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey slowly ascend into the rafters was a moment of closure and celebration for a city that watched its hometown hero rise, fall, and rise again. It was emotional. It was necessary. And, according to a growing number of Bulls fans, it was the opening of a door that has been shut for too long.
If the criteria for jersey retirement in Chicago is shifting—if we are honoring impact and heart alongside longevity—then there is one name that screams to be next.
It is time to retire No. 91.
The “Strict” Standard Has Changed
For decades, the Chicago Bulls were notoriously stingy with jersey retirements. You practically had to be Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen to get a banner. Legends like Horace Grant and Toni Kukoč were left out, and the “rule” seemed to be that unless you were a homegrown lifer or the GOAT, your odds were slim.
But Derrick Rose’s retirement ceremony changed the math. Rose played seven seasons in Chicago, but only three or four of them were truly “healthy” elite years. He didn’t win a title. Yet, no one argues his place in history because of what he represented: hope, grit, and an unbreakable bond with the city.
If “impact” is the new metric, Dennis Rodman is overqualified.
The Heartbeat of the Second Three-Peat
Critics always point to Rodman’s short tenure. “He was only a Bull for three seasons,” they say.
To that, Chicago responds: But what a three seasons they were.
Rodman didn’t just “play” for the Bulls from 1995 to 1998; he transformed them. After the 1995 playoff exit to Orlando, it was clear the Bulls lacked an edge. They needed toughness. They needed rebounding. They needed chaos.
Enter The Worm.
In his three years in Chicago, Rodman won three consecutive rebounding titles, averaging 14.9, 16.1, and 15.0 boards per game. He did the dirty work that allowed Michael Jordan to be the scorer and Scottie Pippen to be the playmaker. He wrestled with Karl Malone, agitated Shaquille O’Neal, and dived for loose balls when the team was up by 20.
Without Dennis Rodman, there is no 72-10 season. Without Dennis Rodman, the second three-peat likely doesn’t happen.
More Than Just Stats
Beyond the rings, Rodman fits the spirit of Chicago. The recent standing ovations he has received during the Ring of Honor ceremony and other United Center appearances prove that the love hasn’t faded. In fact, it’s grown.
Rodman was the perfect counter-culture icon for the 90s Bulls. While MJ was corporate perfection, Rodman was the wild, unpredictable, blue-collar worker who showed up, clocked in, and outworked everyone on the floor.
The Verdict
The Bulls have rightfully honored Derrick Rose for his cultural impact and MVP height. Now, they need to honor the man who secured the dynasty.
Currently, No. 91 is not officially retired, though no player has dared to wear it since he left. That is an “unofficial” retirement, but it’s not enough. It’s time to make it official. It’s time to see The Worm’s jersey hanging right next to MJ and Scottie, completing the trinity that ruled the basketball world.
