Rose says gang sign photo was mistake

When Derrick Rose was accused of having a fraudulent SAT score a few weeks ago, he remained silent. On Thursday, Rose released a statement through the Bulls regarding a photo that popped up on the Internet of Rose posing at a party and making gestures with his hands.

"Recently, a photo has been circulating on the Internet which appears to depict me flashing a gang sign," Rose said in the statement. "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."

Most fans probably weren't even aware that this photo of Rose existed. But it fits into the recent trend of Chicago pro athletes popping up in potentially embarrassing party photos.

"In posing for this picture, I am guilty of being young, naive and of using extremely poor judgment," Rose continued. "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."

This appears to be a minor controversy that will be quickly forgotten. But Rose is experiencing a spate of bad publicity after an exceptional rookie season.

The University of Memphis appeared before the NCAA infractions committee on June 6 to address allegations that someone else took Rose's SAT exam when he was coming out of high school and that Rose's older brother Reggie received free travel benefits from the school during the 2007-08 season.

University president Dr. Shirley Raines told the Memphis Commercial Appeal that she is hopeful of receiving a favorable decision from the NCAA.