Trinity Rodman, the rising star of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, has opened up about her challenging and strained relationship with her father, NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, during her recent appearance on the popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast. The 22-year-old athlete did not hold back as she described her father as "not a dad" and reflected on how his absence and lifestyle affected her upbringing.
"He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else," Trinity stated bluntly. This sentiment set the tone for her candid discussion, where she revealed her experiences growing up with Dennis, who often prioritized his party lifestyle over family responsibilities. "We tried to live with him, but he’s having parties 24/7. He’s bringing random bitches in. He loves the spotlight. He loves the cameras," she claimed, emphasizing the turbulence and unpredictability of her father's home environment.
Trinity recounted her mother, Michelle Moyer, who married Dennis from 2003 to 2012, having to make the tough decision to leave because of Dennis's "demons." "I think my mom just saw the situation of, ‘We love each other. It’s not gonna work,’" she explained. Michelle filed for divorce just one year after their marriage, citing Dennis's issues as significantly impacting their family life.
During their childhood, Trinity and her brother DJ often found themselves feeling abandoned as they would see their father only once or twice a year. "Every time they were together, it was the same s–t. It was my mom being valid and what the f–k are you doing? Help us and help your children," Trinity recalled, lamenting Dennis's absence during formative moments.
A major theme throughout Trinity's reflections was the financial instability following her parents' divorce. Initially, Dennis contributed monetarily to support his family, but post-divorce, his financial support became erratic. "Before the divorce happened, my dad was actually helping money wise ... When the divorce happened, it was just like, ‘F–k you guys,’" Trinity said, noting how they had to cope with severe financial hardships. At one point, she admitted, they were living out of their car.
Further complicate their relationship was Dennis's struggle with alcoholism. "He’s an alcoholic. That’s something I don’t want to say, but I’m just like, f–k it. It’s just the truth," she stated. These struggles, coupled with his frequent partying, created chaos during her childhood, adding layers to their complicated relationship.
Trinity also criticized her father for using money as control, recounting how he would take her and DJ shopping instead of offering them cash for their everyday needs. "He would take us shopping, get us phones ... we just want money to go get food after school with our friends," she explained, underscoring her belief the focus should have been on emotional support, not materialism.
Despite her ire toward Dennis's actions, Trinity admitted to grappling with her feelings about him. She noted his attempts to reach out recently, sharing, "If something does happen, God forbid, I want to know I did [answer his call]. Or if he needed to hear my voice before anything happens." This reflects her desire for closure and perhaps even reconciliation, even if their relationship remains fraught.
Looking back, Trinity expressed frustration with her father’s public proclamations about wanting to be a “better dad.” "If you really want to be something, you’re gonna have to do something," she stated. This frustration is compounded by her experiences when he would unexpectedly show up to her games, like during her rookie season. "I was so mad. I was like, ‘You took this happy moment from me. You f****d with my head again,’” she recalled of his surprise attendance during the playoffs.
Trinity noted her emotional turmoil during those interactions, wishing her father's presence didn't confuse her feelings. "I started crying on the field. So I’m trying to play the soccer game and I’m crying," she shared. The overwhelming nature of his sporadic involvement has often turned significant moments of her life—like winning championships—into complicated emotional experiences.
Despite the tumult, Trinity has forged her own path as one of the top players in women's soccer, winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics and establishing herself as a leading figure in the National Women’s Soccer League. Her accomplishments stand as testaments to her resilience and dedication, and she remains hopeful for her future, both on and off the field. Although the road to defining their relationship continues to be rocky, Trinity's willingness to speak out marks the beginning of a necessary conversation surrounding her father's legacy and her truth.
