Olympic gold medalist and United States women’s national team star Trinity Rodman has made the situation surrounding her father, Dennis Rodman, clear. The 22-year-old appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast and went into detail about him being absent in her life.
Trinity shared that his party lifestyle made her childhood incredibly difficult with her having to live in a car at one point.
“We had (a) Expedition and we kind of lived in that for a little bit,” the Washington Spirit forward said. “We tried to live with him, but he’s having parties 24/7, he is bringing random bitches in. He loves the spotlight. He loves the cameras.”
The former NBA star married Trinity’s mother Michelle Moyer in 2003. Trinity was born in 2002 and her older brother “DJ” in 2001. Michelle and Dennis filed for divorce in 2004 and finally separated in 2012.
“Before the divorce happened, my dad was actually helping money wise,” Trinity said. “He would actually give money to my mom and let us kind of live life a little bit, but then when the divorce happened, it was just like, ‘Fuck you guys.’
“I think he’s an extremely selfish human being. I think everything has always been about him.
"He’s not a dad, maybe by blood but nothing else," Trinity said.
One moment that Trinity shared was the time her father made a surprise appearance to her NWSL quarterfinal vs. N.C. Courage in 2021 and how it ruined a precious moment of her rookie season.
Trinity recalled hearing his voice from near the sideline and being incredibly angry as she hadn’t heard or seen from him in months. Trinity, who was 19 at the time, remembered crying and talking with teammate Ashley Sanchez during a pause in play.
The Spirit went on to win 1-0 after a shot from Rodman was spilled by the goalkeeper and scored by Ashley Hatch.
The Golden Boot with perhaps the Golden Goal #WASvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/M8advNgK6y
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 8, 2021
She shared a hug with her dad after the game but was still frustrated.
“I was so mad. I was like ‘You took this happy moment from me. You fucked with my head again,’” she said. “I’m walking over there so mad, like ‘Fuck you.’ I walk over there, he grabs my head and I just start bawling into his arms as if it’s a daddy-daughter moment.”
Trinity thought that perhaps their relationship would have a new chapter after the quarterfinal, however that wouldn’t be the case. Trinity said she didn’t hear from him again for nearly three years.
“Stupid me for thinking that was gonna be some type of new spark. That was me every single time. He would come around, and I’d be like ‘OK, here it is again. We’re gonna start something. He’s gonna be around,’” Trinity said.
“Boom, months and months and months (without hearing from him). This time, it was years. I think after that was when I lost hope in ever getting him back,” Trinity said.
Dennis has responded since the release of the podcast episode with a sort-of apology via Instagram.
"Sorry I wasn’t the Dad you wanted me to be but either way I still tried and I still Try and Never will Stop. I will keep Trying even when you’re being told as an adult not to respond to my phone calls. I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time. I’m always here And tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me. Hopefully one day I can get that. I’m here and I’m still trying pick up the phone you have my number, You see me calling, I’m still here Dennis RODMAN- Dad
FYI: I watch you play All the time (actually flew in to watch you play and was told not to show up bc who I was with instead and me just wanting to support you So I watched you from my hotel balcony just to make everybody happy. I love All My Kids."
