NBA viewers watched around 81 million hours of lives games during the opening week of the season in 2020 which shows we’re besotted with the game.

One of the most beloved basketball players is Dennis Rodman, known for this defending and rebounding prowess. Perhaps you’re a die-hard Rodman fan and you want to learn more about the icon.

Sounds like you? Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of 14 facts to keep you satisfied. Read on to discover more about the legend.

Who Is Dennis Rodman?

Before we dive into facts about the icon, it’s important to answer your burning question: “who is Dennis Rodman?”

Dennis Keith Rodman was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and became a professional basketball player famous for rebounding. Rodman was part of two NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons (19989-90), and with the Chicago Bulls (1996-98).

14 Interesting Dennis Rodman Facts

Now you’re familiar with the legend, it’s time to dive into 14 facts about Dennis Rodman. Aside from his basketball skills, Rodman is famous for his style and eccentric character. Here are Dennis Rodman’s facts to entertain you.

1. Rodman Cross-Dressed Since Childhood

Every Dennis Rodman biography mentions his cross-dressing and how it started during childhood. He grew up in a largely female household and experimented with false fingernails, earrings, and wearing halter tops. Rodman sees donning women’s clothing as a form of self-expression as it lets him embrace his other side.

2. Mormons Once Fined Him

Rodman faced a $50,000 player fine for complaining about Mormons attending the game in Salt Lake City. The NBA classified this as hate speech which goes against their league’s policy. In response, Rodman apologized and said that he didn’t realize he was offending a religion, and if he did know that, he wouldn’t have said it.

3. Earned the Nickname “The Worm”

Rodman is known as “the worm” because of the way he plays. He twists and turns like a worm when he catches rebounds and the nickname stuck. If you want to learn more trivia then check out these Dennis Rodman quotes.

4. Rodman Was Fired From Celebrity Apprentice

Dennis Rodman was fired from Celebrity Apprentice because he misspelled Melania Trump’s name by writing “Milania” on a poster promoting her skin-care line.

Rodman also featured on Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew to seek help for his alcoholism. The show highlighted Rodman’s vulnerability as he tried to kick the bottle and resume his basketball career.

5. Grabbed 34 Rebounds in One Game

Dennis Rodman is idolized because he’s possibly the best rebounder that the NBA has ever seen. This was clear in 1992 when Rodman got 34 rebounds in a single game as he seemed to know where the ball would always bounce.

His ability at catching rebounds impressed Michael Jordan so much that he recruited him to be part of the Chicago Bulls.

6. Rodman Worked as a Janitor

Before soaring to NBA stardom, Dennis Rodman had a tough childhood. He had an absent father and his mother worked several jobs so she could provide for Rodman and his sisters. When he was 18, he became a janitor at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport for a while.

But, after a growth spurt, he gave basketball another try at Crooke County College before flunking a semester. Luckily, Rodman transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University and dominated the games which encouraged him to enter the NBA draft.

7. Joined Professional Wrestling in 1997

Rodman was suspended from the NBA in 1997 when he fell in front of a camera. Instead of pushing it away, he attacked the Milwaukee cameraman on live television. During his suspension, Rodman appeared as a wrestle on WCW’s Monday Nitro where he wrestled the great Hulk Hogan.

8. Rodman Is a Pearl Jam Super Fan

Dennis Rodman adores Pearl Jam and his favorite tunes include “Once”, “Go”, and “Animal”. He’s such a superfan that Rodman lept on stage during the band’s stop in Dallas. Rodman tried to perform backing vocals on “Alive” and “Corduroy” because the band cut off his mic.

9. He Co-Wrote a Children’s Book

In 2012, Rodman co-wrote a kid’s book called Dennis the Wild Bull with Dustin Warburton. Rodman wrote the book to show children that it’s okay to be different and you’re still worthy if you are. Rodman even dedicated the book to his children which was a lovely touch.

10. Rodman Spent Time With Kim Jong-un

An interesting fact about Dennis Rodman is his friendship with the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un. Although Rodman has never directly been involved in politics, the NBA star befriended Kim Jong-un and says that he’s far different from how he’s portrayed in the media. Rodman also hoped that their relationship can improve relations between the two countries.

11. Married Himself

While promoting his memoir Bad As I Wanna Be, Dennis Rodman wore a wedding dress and claimed to marry himself. This is a great example of his individualism and how he doesn’t care about what others think. And in 1998, his memoir became a movie called Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story.

12. Rodman Was Homeless Once

Despite making millions in his later years, Dennis Rodman struggled financially as a youngster. Once when he was a teenager, his mother kicked him out of the house and he had nowhere to go. He spent his days walking around town and crashed on his friends’ coaches, in parks, and behind 7-11.

13. Rodman Is a Fashion Icon

One look at Dennis Rodman proves he’s a fashion icon. In the ’90s, Rodman rocked unique clothes and dyed his hair multiple colors over his career. Because of this, Rodman has become known for his outlandish style.

14. Madonna and Rodman Dated

In 1994, Madonna and Rodman briefly dated. A key part of their relationship is how Madonna encouraged Rodman to be true to himself and create his image. This advice gave him the confidence to fully express himself the way he wanted to.

Those Are Our Dennis Rodman Facts

Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ve learned more about Dennis Rodman.

Rodman is more than a basketball legend, he’s also a fashion icon, writer, and reality star. It’s safe to say he’s one of the most intriguing players to grace the NBA and his status as a legend is solidified.

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