Olympian Trinity Rodman opens up about estranged relationship with her father Dennis Rodman

Olympian Trinity Rodman opens up about estranged relationship with her father Dennis Rodman

Olympic gold medalist Trinity Rodman may be the daughter of a legendary athlete, but the US women’s soccer star revealed she hadn’t heard from her father, Dennis Rodman, in years.

The 22-year-old broke into what she described as “uncharted territory” by discussing her family in an interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast on Wednesday.

Trinity Rodman, who became the youngest player admitted to the National Women’s Soccer League at age 18 and was instrumental in winning the Washington Spirit championship in her rookie year, is a rising star in the soccer world.

This summer, she became a household name when she helped the United States bring home its first gold medal in women’s soccer since the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

But “Rodman” isn’t exactly an unfamiliar name to sports fans.

Dennis Rodman was a five-time NBA champion, winning three with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s along with Michael Jordan. At the height of his fame, the striker developed a rebellious reputation with his unconventional style and outlandish antics.

But to Trinity Rodman, he was an absentee father who failed his family both emotionally and financially, she said.

“I think in terms of the father situation – in terms of what I’ve filtered and talked about – I feel like me and my brother have spoken about it very generously and very selflessly,” she said.


Trinity Rodman.
Trinity Rodman on November 10, 2024 in Washington, DCRoger Wimmer / Getty Images file

Dennis Rodman did not respond to NBC News’ request for comment on Wednesday.

She and her older brother DJ were born during Dennis Rodman’s relationship with Michelle Moyer, but the couple separated when Trinity Rodman was still a toddler. The divorce lasted from 2004 to 2012. Trinity Rodman said that her mother struggled with money and that her father barely gave them enough to pay the rent.

For a time, Moyer and her children were homeless.

“Imagine living in a car and driving to a rich school; “That was the strangest thing,” she said. “We lived in the car, but then we could afford to stay in a motel for a while, so we were back and forth a bit.”

When Dennis Rodman was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, he gave a tearful speech and said he never had a father. Apparently he expressed remorse for being a bad husband and father.

“One thing I regret: I wish I was a better father,” he said.

Trinity Rodman said at times she only saw her father three or four times a year, even though they both lived in the same city.

“Even now, I try to be honest and still give him sympathy,” she said. “It’s frustrating for me because in reality I think he’s an extremely selfish person. I think everything was always about him.”

Trinity Rodman recalled bursting into angry tears during her NWSL quarterfinal game in 2021 when she realized her father – who she hadn’t spoken to in months – had shown up unannounced. She said she cried her eyes out in the locker room during halftime before going back onto the field to win the game.

“The whistle blew and I was so angry,” she said. “As if you took away this happy moment from me.”

The two chatted after the game in what she called a “pretty healthy” conversation, with her father even saying he wanted to see her more often, the soccer star said. But she didn’t see or talk to him until sometime last year.

Trinity Rodman posted on her Instagram about her complicated relationship with him after the game, adding on Wednesday’s podcast that she wanted to be positive and grateful that he even showed up. This was offset by the months of silence that followed, she said.

“I think after that I lost hope of ever getting him back, it was just like he would drop by whenever he wanted to be on camera,” she said. “And even with this game, I don’t think it was for me. I think he wanted to have a clear conscience and then say: Dennis Rodman showed up to his daughter’s game.”

She said it was painful to hear his voice. The 22-year-old added that she will answer when he calls but that the “random” calls are terrible for her.

“He’s not a father,” Trinity Rodman said. “Maybe through blood, but nothing else.”

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