Jalen Rose was overcome by tears because of thoughts about his late mother, Jeanne Rose, during a live telecast of NBA Countdown.
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The 48-year-old NBA analyst recently lost his mother in a long fight to cancer. Jalen was brought up by Jeanne as a single mother. Rose’s father was 1967 #1 overall draft pick Jimmy Walker, but Walker was not present in Jalen’s life.
Understandably, Rose attributes all his success to his mother, who was his pillar of strength. Jalen has always spoken in public about Jeanne’s role in molding him as a person and as a player. This is what he said last year in an interview:
“I remember a period of time when we didn’t have hot water. We was boiling water to wash up. And I know about liverworts and sugar water and mayonnaise sandwiches and holes in my socks and patches in my pants.”
“And I just remember in the mornings, appreciating her sacrifice. Because she worked at Chrysler for over 20 years and when I was young, she was also a waitress. It made me feel like I need to do something special with my life for her.”
Jalen Rose was overcome by tears, thinking about his mother Jeanne Rose on live TV
Rose was on NBA Countdown ahead of the daylong bracket of games that lies ahead of us. Given that it’s Mother’s Day today, Jalen was obviously thinking about his own mom. He was overcome by tears as he explained how this is his first ever Mother’s Day without his mom or granny.
Rose has been an exemplary TV analyst for ESPN since his retirement. The former Pacers star is known for his quick wit, his sharp criticisms and astute insights into the modern game.
Rose has also never failed to stand up for what he believes is right, fair and worthy of praise. He headlined the NBA Conference Finals’ halftime show last year with an impassioned monologue about the Breonna Taylor case.
