Hardly any athlete polarized as much as Dennis Rodman before, during, and after his career. The dazzling basketball star made history, but 29 years ago he caused a moment that symbolizes the numerous scandals of his life.
Five NBA championships, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and two All-Star nominations: The name Dennis Rodman is one of the greatest and most dazzling in basketball history, yet his life has repeatedly been accompanied by scandals.
29 years ago, a scene occurred that symbolizes Rodman’s unpredictability. On January 15, 1997 – in Germany, it was already the 16th day of the month – he had a short-circuit reaction.
During a game in Minnesota, Rodman chased a rebound and lost his balance. In the fight for the ball, the then-star of the Chicago Bulls bounced towards the photographers positioned at courtside and fell to the ground. What followed was a situation that apparently enraged Rodman so much that he kicked the then 48-year-old cameraman Eugene Amos in the groin with a powerful leg movement.
$200,000 Severance Pay: Bulls Defender Rodman
Amos was subsequently carried out of the arena on a stretcher and stayed in the hospital for a short time. Rodman was suspended by the NBA for eleven games and had to pay a fine of $25,000. In addition, there was compensation for the victim of over $200,000.
Nevertheless, Rodman, known for his tough style of play, felt no guilt. He told the Los Angeles Times : “I know I hit him on the thigh. If you watch the video, you can see I hit him on the thigh. He talked to me. I said, ‘I’m sorry I hit you.’ He said, ‘Get away from me.'”
“Suddenly he fainted,” Rodman continued then, accusing Amos of theatrical behavior: “He was carried away on a stretcher? That was a bit dramatic for me. I’ll send him some roses… All my love, Dennis.”
Even though he received his punishment for the outburst, the Chicago Bulls stood behind their star at the time. Bulls pro Scottie Pippen asserted: “When you’re that close to the game, you have to be ready to get out of the way. This is the NBA. This is our court.”
When Rodman Stole 50 Watches as a Janitor at the Airport
The unsightly images, however, were just a tiny chapter in Rodman’s career. With 13.1 rebounds per game, he went down in history as one of the best in this field. But at the same time, the most colorful figure in basketball history also became a pop culture phenomenon, a fixture of nightlife, and a true eccentric.
Dennis Rodman was born on May 13, 1961, in the state of New Jersey and grew up as the son of a single mother after his father left the family when Rodman was just three years old. According to his own statements, Rodman looks back on a difficult childhood and was reportedly thrown out of the house by his mother twice.
After Rodman graduated from high school, he first worked as a night janitor at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. There, he also caused the first major scandal of his life. Rodman stole 50 watches from a store, was caught by surveillance cameras, and was quickly arrested by the police.
However, no charges were ever filed, especially since the police quickly recovered the stolen goods. Rodman had given all the watches away. “I was trying to please people… I just wanted people to like me,” he said in a previous interview about the incident.
Rodman: A Detour to NBA Stardom
Around this time, Rodman also experienced a growth spurt that was crucial for his later athletic success. At 18, he shot up from just 1.80 meters to an NBA-ready height of 2.01 meters. This development led Rodman to try basketball again, which brought him into organized basketball for the first time and led to a successful college career.
Nevertheless, the late bloomer only made it to the NBA at the age of 25, after being selected 27th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1986 Draft. With the Pistons, known as the “Bad Boys” at the time, Rodman first had to prove himself and therefore focused on the two factors that would make him famous: rebounds and defense.
Dennis Rodman started his career with the Detroit Pistons
“I worked on my defense every day for a couple of years. And suddenly I had perfected it to the point where I knew how players would react to something before they even did it,” Rodman explained to GQ magazine in 2021.
“The Completely Different Side of Dennis Rodman”
In 1989 and 1990, Rodman, by then also known as “The Worm,” celebrated his first two NBA titles with Detroit, but just a few years later, he had to go through a deep life crisis. After his divorce from his wife and the departure of coach Chuck Daly, the then 31-year-old was found asleep in his car – a loaded pistol lay next to him.
Rodman fought his way back to life, describing the moment as a “turning point” and isolating himself at home for a long time. “I went from being the meek, humble, emotional guy to this completely different side of Dennis Rodman. When I came out of my house, the new Dennis emerged,” Rodman revealed to GQ .
A development was also noticeable on the court. After Rodman moved to the San Antonio Spurs in 1993, his appearance also changed. Hair in the most vibrant colors, numerous tattoos, and piercings – a new Dennis Rodman was born.
A Career Between Scandals and Curious Appearances
Throughout his career, Rodman missed game analyzes or entire training camps, frequently accumulated fines and suspensions. Nevertheless, the pinnacle of his career was yet to come. In 1995, Rodman joined the Chicago Bulls. Alongside legend Michael Jordan, he celebrated the iconic “Three-peat” with three consecutive championship titles between 1996 and 1998.
The Bulls, with successful coach Phil Jackson, knew that they had to give Rodman a long leash off the court, and among other measures, they hired a retired police officer to accompany Rodman.
And apparently for good reason: Even during his active career, “The Worm” threw wild sex and drug parties and had a brief affair with global star Madonna, whom he subsequently accused of trying to get pregnant by him against his will.
In addition, there were other stories such as the lightning marriage to Baywatch star Carmen Electra, which only lasted ten days, roles in films and TV series, and a legendary appearance in a wedding dress to promote his book “Bad as I Wanna Be”.
Dennis Rodman was photographed in a wedding dress in 1996
Convictions for domestic violence and various drunk driving incidents formed further dark chapters in the life of the controversial basketball player. One of these drives led to a motorcycle accident in 2003, in which Rodman sustained a leg injury that is said to have prevented an NBA comeback after short stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
Between Wrestling and North Korea: Rodman and the Wild Years After His Career
After his career, Dennis Rodman’s wild escapades continued seamlessly. A wrestling match alongside Hulk Hogan, visits to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, whom he called a “friend for life,” or campaign support for Donald Trump (2016) and rapper Kanye West (2020) were commonplace.
After Rodman struggled with significant financial problems and years of alcohol addiction in the past – a consequence of his long time as a nightlife personality – he says he now thinks a lot about his life and wants to make amends. Especially with his four children.
Already at his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, he apologized for not having been a better father. Son DJ Rodman has followed his father’s athletic path but has not yet made the final leap to the NBA. Daughter Trinity, on the other hand, is a US national soccer player and has been playing in the NWSL since 2021.