DeMar DeRozan said that Frank was a great father since he never skipped a basketball practice or game. To ensure that “The Big Dog” will always be present at every practice and game, the Chicago Bulls guard had a special picture of his father permanently inked on his left shoulder.
“Playing outside serves as a constant reminder that you might see him every time I go.” “I wouldn’t be doing this without him; I owe everything to him,” DeRozan said to The Undefeated last week, just days before he scored 35 points in a Sunday night game against the Clippers in his native Los Angeles.
Frank DeRozan died on February 19, following protracted struggles with various illnesses. One of the illnesses, according to the San Antonio Express-News, was renal disease. The father of the four-time NBA All-Star was the first African American to compete in varsity athletics at Vidalia High School in Vidalia, Louisiana, according to the Concordia Sentinel.
DeRozan disclosed that his father formerly worked as a videographer for the southern Los Angeles County municipality of Compton. Known by his family and friends as “The Big Dog,” he was renowned for his incessant effort and consistent provision for his household. DeRozan stated that as an NBA player and father of three young daughters, his father’s teachings continue to bear some relevance in his life.
“He sacrificed everything I ever observed him do in order to provide for his family,” DeRozan, 32, remarked. “As children, we did not possess much. Nevertheless, he consistently ensured that we had food and shelter when the need arose. He served as a guardian of the household. Me alone in that room was everything to me…
“He provided me with guidance on how to behave as a man.” Maintain your discipline. Constantly refrain from complaining. You desire to avoid having anyone feel remorseful for you. Understand that you can achieve your goals in life if you desire them. I gained the utmost self-assurance and conviction from him. Regardless of how dire the situation may appear or appear, a positive aspect can always be found with persistent effort. “It is impossible to ever give up.”
From 2009 to 2018, Frank DeRozan was a frequent attendee at Toronto Raptors games when his son was a standout for the franchise. In recent years, however, it was DeRozan, who was a member of the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors, who frequently traveled to Los Angeles to see his ailing father. On non-playing days, it was not uncommon for DeRozan to discretely board a private aircraft in order to spend time with his father; he once traveled from Boston to Los Angeles.
Shortly before his death, in January, DeRozan took time off from the Spurs to see his father in Los Angeles, California. Looking back, those trips have proven to be priceless.
“Even if it were only for a day, I would go just to sit with him,” DeRozan said. “Be that motivation for him to keep kicking and pushing.” He experienced a lot. I thus attended and took part in a lot of events on the day of the competition. I never really worried about it. I’m glad I took advantage of every chance to spend time with him and be in his company, even though others were unaware of it. You never know what might happen.
General manager Marc Eversley of the Chicago Bulls, who was DeRozan’s former teammate with the Raptors, said that his son’s bond with his father “meant everything to DeMar.”
Frank DeRozan had a big impact on DeMar’s personal growth, Eversley said to The Undefeated. “He prioritizes his family.” He is really loyal. He displays an intense level of rivalry. For him, winning the right way is the only thing that matters. It’s evident in the way you live your life.
Tattoo artist Steve Wiebe has gained a reputation for his precise craftsmanship, especially in face portraiture. The Canadian’s clientele includes NBA stars like Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, and DeRozan, as well as celebrities and professional athletes like Future and Nipsey Hussle, rappers. Wiebe also inked a likeness of Nipsey Hussle’s face on his partner, the actress Lauren London, following the rapper’s passing in 2019.
Wiebe claimed that during the previous few years, he had tattooed on both of DeRozan’s limbs more than ten times. DeRozan asked him in June if he would like a tattoo of his late father on his left shoulder. He also wanted the phrase “RIP Big Dog” permanently inked on his left triceps. After looking through a ton of pictures, DeRozan came across a treasured “old-school” picture of his father.
“I just happened to come upon it when going through his picture album after he passed away. And that’s the exact one with the classic Afro that drew my eye; it was a perfect representation of him. “I really wanted that,” DeRozan said.
Two of Wiebe’s more than five tattoo designs for DeRozan feature the Joker and Malcolm X, respectively. The patriarch’s tattoo took about four hours to finish. A few weeks were needed to finish the “RIP Big Dog” tattoo.
“DeMar’s ideas are almost always discussed in person,” Wiebe clarified. As a result, until I reach my target, my intentions are frequently unclear. Nevertheless, when I got there, he told me he had a picture of his father and that he wanted me to have it.
Even though DeRozan doesn’t show emotion much, Wiebe said that after his father’s tattoo was completed, it was obvious that it was very important to him. And when the shooting guard puts on his Chicago Bulls jersey, it’s obvious.
“The exquisite detail and flawless craftsmanship of the artwork made it feel like you were watching Toy Story for the first time.” It was amazing. DeRozan said, “It means the world to my family as well, because everyone knows how important he is to them and to me in particular.”
DeRozan’s seasoned leadership and scoring ability, according to Eversley and the Chicago Bulls, might be the missing piece needed to get the storied team back to its previous standing as an Eastern Conference powerhouse. DeRozan believed that Eversley’s presence in Los Angeles during free agency was essential, and he received encouragement for this from his attorney Aaron Goodwin throughout the offseason. A few days later, on August 11, DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls came to a $85 million, three-year contract sign-and-trade agreement. Tenth place among the NBA’s all-time top scorers is now occupied by DeRozan.
According to Eversley, DeRozan is motivated to prove to the NBA community that he is still one of the best players in the league.
“He felt Chicago was a place where he could reestablish to the nation’s elite what he is capable of accomplishing,” Eversley said. “It’s obvious that he’s having fun, and winning has definitely helped.”We were able to convince him to change for the better and succeed. He was given a range of options this summer, and we are grateful that he chose our services.
Along with Zach LaVine, an All-Star guard and Olympic gold medalist, Nikola Vucevic, a former teammate from the University of Southern California, and rookie guards Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, DeRozan created an organization in Chicago. The Bulls haven’t made the playoffs since 2017 and haven’t advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in ten years. Before Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, DeRozan is now ranked sixth in the NBA with 26.1 points per game for the season.
DeRozan describes the Bulls’ environment as egoless, youthful, vibrant, upbeat, and supportive, and he feels comfortable there.
“Nobody has self-centeredness.” DeRozan remarked, “It’s obvious that we all want to have a good time, and everyone wants to play.”
DeRozan’s family and loved ones witnessed the tattoo in person during this week’s Bulls game in Los Angeles, making it a touching homecoming for him.
DeRozan told reporters following Sunday’s victory, “He attended every game.” “I wish he was here for one of those games tonight.”
Even though DeRozan’s father’s tattoo will always be a reminder, he insists he hasn’t grieved deeply enough yet.
“I still feel like I haven’t dealt with it on my own yet. While it wasn’t easy to keep everyone awake around me, my mother, kids, and the whole family found it especially challenging. And to top it all off, my dad always encouraged me to follow in his footsteps as a man. I took the burden on without much thought. DeRozan said, “I will address the situation at some point in whatever way is required, even if it means locking myself in the room and crying every day when that time comes.”