No future member of the Chicago Bulls will be able to wear No. 1 after the franchise officially retired Derrick Rose’s jersey on Saturday night. The same goes for the team’s cherished mascot, Benny the Bull.
Before the Bulls faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, Benny hinted at a potential number change several times on social media in tribute to Rose. He even held a mock press conference where he was asked about it. Instead of commenting, Benny showcased a sign that read: “I’ve got 99 problems but my number ain’t 1.”
Benny even arranged a focus group to select a new number and hung the No. 1 jersey in a closet before the game began.
During halftime of the Lakers game, Benny revealed that he would now wear a white No. 99 jersey.
Major breaking news here at halftime in Chicago: With Derrick Rose’s No. 1 being retired over the weekend, Benny the Bull has changed his uniform to No. 99 pic.twitter.com/fQqNg5UfIV
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 27, 2026
Throughout the Bulls’ history, no player has worn that number. The closest was Dennis Rodman with No. 91, who secured three consecutive titles with the franchise.
The 2015 NBA Mascot of the Year made his debut on Oct. 17, 1969, and had only worn No. 1. He is widely recognized for showering popcorn on rival fans during games, while also successfully making half-court shots—236 of them so far, according to his website.
Rose (No. 1) joined Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23), and Scottie Pippen (No. 33) as the fifth player to have his jersey retired by the Bulls. The Chicago native played for seven years with the Bulls and became the youngest player in NBA history to win the MVP award at just 22 years old in 2011.
