Taj Gibson Admits He Was Terrified Before Honoring Derrick Rose

Brian Westerholt-Imagn ImagesMost fans think a speech honoring a teammate comes easy after years of friendship. Taj Gibson says the opposite is true. He admitted the moment scared him more than any game he ever played.Gibson told reporters he felt real fear before stepping up to the mic at the United Center. He did not know just how huge the event was for the franchise. The 41-year-old forward said he was unsure of the weight of the moment until he was already there. “Be honest with you, that was a nerve-wracking moment for me cause I didn’t understand how big of a moment it was and how special it was to be there,” he said in a recent interview.The Bond That Scared HimGibson and Rose shared many tough nights on the court together. They fought through scraps and injuries side by side. Gibson described Rose as a brother who always checked on him. He said Rose would send a signal to bring him back into the game. “I tell Derrick all the time, like, you always make sure I’m okay. You always check for me,” Gibson explained.The former Bulls forward got emotional just thinking about Rose retiring. He cried a lot when the news broke in 2024. This bond went deep beyond the hardwood. Gibson noted that Rose was always there to support him when things got rough. He said Rose was the one teammate he could always look to for comfort.A Winner at HeartRose returned the favor during the jersey retirement ceremony. He praised Gibson for his leadership and care for the whole team. Rose called him a winner at heart who looked out for everyone’s family. “Someone who was very close in the locker room and someone who is a winner at heart. The person who cared about everyone and his family,” said Rose.Gibson, 41, has hung up his playing shoes. He spent 17 seasons in the NBA after being drafted in 2009. His time with the Bulls remains the best part of his career. He was picked 26th overall and found his true home in Chicago.Even though he is retired, Gibson is not leaving the game behind. Under the new head coach Tiago Splitter, he will work as an assistant coach for the Bulls. The team is building a new future with the old guard helping guide the way. Gibson’s fear of the speech shows just how much he cares about the legacy of the franchise and the man who wore number 1.This story was reported by Yahoo Sports, which covered Gibson’s recent interviews.