Random ‘Rodman: For Better Or Worse’ Is A Documentary About Dennis Rodman’s Rise And Controversial Fall (13 items)

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  (#7) Rodman Contemplated Ending His Own Life In The Parking Lot Outside Of Practice

  Craig Sager thanks for saving my life when I was in dire need of help in Detroit back in 1993. Condolences to your family. RIP my friend.

  — Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) December 15, 2016

  In 1993, passersby discovered Rodman in the parking lot of the Palace of Auburn Hills. He was asleep and holding a loaded .22 caliber rifle. Although Rodman denied it at the time, he later admitted he was contemplating taking his life that night. He told Bleacher Report he felt alone and betrayed by the NBA:

  One day, I wrote a note and went to the parking lot of the Palace. I had a gun rack, and I had a gun in my car. I had it in my hand... But for some reason, I played this music. I put it on, and I was listening to this song and this music, and I was just debating. It didn't have anything to do with basketball. It had to do with this love that I wanted, and it suddenly just left me.

  Rodman eventually fell asleep listening to Pearl Jam. When he woke up, police and bystanders surrounded his car, anxious to help him out. NBA broadcaster Craig Sager knew about Rodman's mental health and urged him not to do it. Rodman later thanked Sager for the encouragement.
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  (#5) As A Black Man In Oklahoma, Rodman Dealt With Racism

  When Rodman moved to Oklahoma to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State, he experienced racism from his classmates, who threatened him both verbally and physically.

  Rodman said hearing his classmates call him the N-word didn't faze him significantly, but a terrifying incident made him tear up even years later. When Rodman was in college, he dated a white woman. One night, upon walking into his dorm, the couple were taken hostage by two white men.

  One of them beat Rodman and threatened to shoot him in front of his girlfriend. They threatened Rodman and told him not to date a white girl again, then left with his girlfriend.
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  (#11) Rodman Struggles To Be A Father To His Own Children, Despite Wanting To Do Better Than His Dad

  In ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary on Rodman, the NBA star opens up about being a father. While Rodman recognizes he hasn't been there for his kids, he also acknowledges that in many ways, he doesn't know how.

  Rodman himself grew up with an absentee father and has trouble breaking the cycle. Rodman says, "I lie to myself a lot about sh*t... 'I’m a great dad. I love my kids.' And then I have to go home and sit there and beat myself up because I'm just telling myself all these lies."

  Rodman has three children: DJ, Trinity, and Alexis. Although Rodman lives close to DJ and Trinity, who were born in 2000 and 2001, respectively, he rarely sees them because of the guilt he feels over his absence. Still, Rodman has made posts on social media stating how much he loves his children.
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  (#1) Rodman's Father Left His Family When Rodman Was Only 2 Years Old

  Young. Worm. pic.twitter.com/s1sO0bgPYr

  — Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) April 11, 2019

  Dennis Rodman's father, Philander Rodman Jr., abandoned his family in Texas when Dennis was a young child. Philander, who fought in Vietnam, moved to the Phillipines and boasts that he fathered more than 29 children. He currently runs a restaurant and says he watches Dennis play as much as he can.

  Dennis criticizes his father's absence, however:

  I haven't seen my father in more than 30 years, so what's there to miss? I just look at it like this: Some man brought me into this world. That doesn't mean I have a father.

  At a 2012 basketball game in the Phillipines, Dennis saw Philander for the first time since 1969. The pair spent just a few minutes together, but Philander gave Dennis his phone number, and Dennis promised to call.
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  (#12) Rodman Found Acceptance, Inspiration, And Provocation In The Queer Community

  Although Rodman doesn't identify as queer, his propensity for drag and womenswear saw him embraced by the gay community. After Rodman posed for the cover of Sports Illustrated in drag, people who identify as LGBT+ reached out and expressed admiration for his willingness to blur the lines of gender in a sports publication.

  Rodman expressed support for the growing number of sports professionals coming out in recent years:

  It don’t matter if [you’re in] sports or entertainer or actor or whatever in the world... Who cares? Okay. Who cares? You know, as long as he play and perform, does it matter?
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  (#13) Rodman And Scottie Pippen Didn't Get Along

  Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman played together on the Chicago Bulls, and the pair's rivalry nearly got in the way of Rodman joining the team.

  While Rodman was on the Pistons and faced off against the Bulls, he had several confrontations with Pippen. To ensure the team ran smoothly, Coach Phil Jackson talked to Pippen and asked him to accept his former rival. Jackson also told Pippen that should Rodman "[get] a little bit out of control," he would be sure to deescalate the situation.

  Although the two Bulls teammates were never close friends off the court, they reached a place where they tolerated each other.

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