5x NBA champion and Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman had a difficult childhood. Rodman’s journey to the NBA involves some darker aspects of the human experience. The Worm almost fell victim to the crime-filled streets of Dallas and had a distant relationship with his mother, which ultimately pushed him out of the house. However, the biggest tragedy of Rodman’s life before the NBA was his father’s absence during childhood.

Dennis Rodman’s father, Philander Rodman, abandoned the family when Rodman was three or four years old. Therefore, Rodman grew up in an all-women household with his mother and two sisters. In an interview from years ago, Rodman made a heartfelt admission about his father’s absence for most of his life.

Dennis Rodman revealed the shocking circumstances of his father’s exit from his life

Apart from having Dennis and two girls with Shirley Rodman, Philander Rodman has fathered 29 children with 16 women. Thus, it may not come as a surprise to many that Phil left one of his 16 partners despite fathering children with them. However, for Shirley Rodman, it was a life-altering moment. Philander Rodman left Shirley Rodman with three babies to raise alone in the crime-filled streets of Dallas.

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Surprisingly, Dennis Rodman, who was three years old at the time, had a vivid memory of his father’s exit from their lives. In an interview in his rookie year with the Detroit Pistons, Rodman recalled the tragic moment when his father abruptly left the family. He said, “He just disappeared one day, haven’t seen him since.” 

With no prominent male figure in his life, Rodman felt out of place in the all-female family, comprising of his mother and sisters. Even his mother corroborated the notion. She said, “It was a female family, and I think we just overwhelmed Dennis.” Rodman grew fond of his mother and had an inseparable bond with her. However, as the years passed, their relationship went down the hill. 

Rodman always felt he never received similar treatment like his sisters from his mother. This was one of the biggest reasons behind their fallout. Things got so bad that, at one point, when Rodman was 19, Shirley kicked him out of the house. However, in hindsight, Shirley’s intentions came from a good place. She only wanted to make Rodman more independent and enable him to make a living.

Watch the Story – 10 things Chicago bulls legend Dennis Rodman can’t live without.

Over the years, after having kids of his own, Rodman has made peace with both of his parents. He now focuses on being a good father himself to his kids.