Dennis Rodman’s life throughout his NBA career was iconic. His face was plastered on magazine covers as he hopped from one team to the other. Even though his off-court antics were a bit extreme at times, he still managed to win everything a basketball player can pretty much dream about. However, his road to success wasn’t really easy, the Worm had a tough childhood. He worked hard to reach the heights he achieved without the presence of a father figure in his life. However, in an interview in the 90s, Philander Rodman Jr. made some bold statements about his mistakes in Rodman’s childhood.

Rodman’s relationship with his father was non-existent for the most part, a relationship he didn’t care about much, but apparently his father did. While trying to explain his decision of abandoning his family, Philander Rodman Jr. dragged his experiences in similar situations.

Philander Rodman’s bold statements on his fractured relationship with his son

The legendary Chicago Bulls defender had a tough life as a youngster, his absentee father being a major contributing factor to this journey’s hardships. In an interview in 1996 with the Washington Post, Dennis Rodman’s father Philander Rodman Jr. spoke on the broken relationship between the two.?

“I understand Dennis’s bitterness towards me” said Philander. He indicated that he himself was a victim of an absentee father. Rodman further explained how he felt “deserted” just like his child. However, Philander then went on to make pretty bold statements.

“Later on, when I got married, Dennis’s mother gave me such a hard time, I understood it wasn’t my daddy’s fault,” said Philander. He further added what he said to his father when he saw him in 1968, “Dad, I used to hate you. But I got a wife like that right now, and I’m trying to get rid of her.”

According to Philander, he separated from his wife in 1970, the moment he left Rodman and the family. Understandably, Rodman was pissed and he didn’t want anything to do with his father.?

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However, years later in 2012, The Worm finally decided to let go of his inhibitions by meeting his father after 42 years.

Dennis Rodman and his father’s reunion 42 years later

The Chicago Bulls legend decided to meet his father in 2012, during an exhibition game in the Philippines. The moment was perceived very differently by the five-time NBA Champion than one would think. He mentioned how he didn’t “hate” the guy, as he brought him into this world. Philander Rodman sadly passed away in 2020, after battling prostate cancer at the age of 79.

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