Chicago Bulls’ star Derrick Rose endured a season-ending ACL injury on Saturday during the Bulls’ first playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The injury, which will put Rose on the bench for the rest of the playoffs, the Summer Olympics, and possibly a few games of the 2013 season, could have been prevented if Rose had been wearing Nike shoes.
Jason Petrie, the Nike shoe designer who created LeBron James signature sneakers, mocked Rose’s injury shortly after last year’s MVP was taken off the court. Petrie wrote:
“You got one guy (LeBron James) only getting stronger, and one guy breaking down before our very eyes. You chose poorly Pooh… #shouldasignedwithNIKE #GWS.”
Petrie’s comment did include #GWS (get well soon) and the Nike designer insists that he didn’t mean to kick Rose while he was down. Petrie said :
“Wow! Twitterverse I do apologize. It was really just tongue n cheek! Never meant any harm or disrespect!”
Still, several Twitter users criticized Petrie for the insensitive tweet. One user wrote: “Jason Petrie has as much class as LeBron has rings.”
Rose, who has suffered several injuries this season, was taken off the floor during yesterday’s game with just a few minutes remaining. It was later confirmed that Rose tore his ACL and will have to undergo surgery in a few weeks.
Rose who has a 13-year shoe deal worth close to $200 million with Adidas.
