Trinity Rodman, the standout U.S. women's soccer player, has opened up about her troubled relationship with her father, NBA legend Dennis Rodman, during her appearance on the popular podcast 'Call Her Daddy'. On the show, Trinity expressed her discontent and disillusionment with Dennis, stating bluntly, 'He's not a father. Maybe by blood, but nothing else.' This sharp critique reflects years of emotional distance and disappointment.
Trinity's comments come after Dennis made headlines for posting an emotional apology on social media, aimed at mending their fractured relationship. '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,' he wrote, sharing photos and memories of the two together. He expressed hope for reconciliation, stating, 'I will keep trying even when you’re being told as an adult not to respond to my phone calls.'
Despite her father's promises, Trinity dismissed his apology as insincere. 'Nice repost,' she fired back on her Instagram story. 'A joke. The response alone. And the attention. Wiping my hands with it. I'm done. Thank you.'
Dennis Rodman, known for his tumultuous career and even more tumultuous personal life, admitted to his shortcomings as a father. He candidly shared, '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 to pick up the phone.'
This public exchange between father and daughter sheds light on years of strained relations since Dennis's divorce from Trinity's mother, Michelle Moyer, which lasted from 2004 until 2012. Trinity reflects on her tumultuous childhood, during which she felt the absence of her father's support. She recalled how she and her brother, Dennis Rodman Jr., once had to live in their family’s Ford Expedition at one point due to their father's unstable lifestyle. 'He’s an alcoholic. That’s something I don’t want to say, but it’s just the truth,' Trinity revealed, emphasizing the impact of her father's struggles on her upbringing.
Further exacerbated by his partying and relationship struggles, Trinity watched as Dennis's involvement vacillated. Though he did make the effort to attend one of her games back in 2021, she later described the experience as bittersweet. 'I started crying on the field. I was so angry. I thought, you took this moment of happiness from me,' she said, expressing her disappointment at the fleeting nature of their relationship.
Trinity's grow of resentment toward her father is not just tied to his absence, but also deeply rooted in financial struggles she experienced after the separation. 'Before the divorce happened, my dad was actually helping money-wise. But when the divorce happened, it was just like, 'F--- you guys,'' she exclaimed, recalling how the hardship shaped her adolescence.
Despite Dennis's attempts to apologize publicly, including his claim of watching her play games from afar—'I actually flew in to watch you play and was told not to show up because of who I was with'—the tensions remain unresolved. Trinity dismissed these gestures, feeling they were mere attempts to ease his conscience rather than genuine reconnecting efforts.
Their relationship dynamic dramatically shows how Dennis's problematic lifestyle poured over his family life, leaving Trinity bearing the brunt of her father's absence and choices. 'Before the divorce, he would give money to my mother and let us live life a little bit,' Trinity explained, underscoring the drastic shift post-divorce.
On her podcast appearance, Trinity conveyed her sense of acceptance toward the reality of their relationship today—she rarely answers his calls, doing so only to ease her own conscience. 'I want to know I did [it],' she stated. 'I answer the phone, not for me.'
With Dennis now facing criticism for his perceived inability to take responsibility, many fans and followers are left wondering if there's any hope for reconciliation. Dennis's public persona and his relationship with his children remain contentious subjects. This latest episode between Trinity and Dennis showcases not only the challenges faced by athletic figures like Trinity who emerge from complex family backgrounds but also the heavyweight of expectations versus reality in family dynamics.
Despite her father's fame and the accolades he achieved on the court, Trinity highlights her own victories, having excelled on the field herself. Drafted by the Washington Spirit, she became the youngest player to score for the U.S. Women's National Team.
Yet, the pain associated with her father's absence clouds much of her personal triumphs, signifying the stark divide between public acclaim and private disillusionment. With tension still looming large, Trinity's story continues to evoke empathy and curiosity from fans globally.
Though the public facade of family moments and apologies may play out on social media, the raw emotions hinted at deep-rooted issues, raising questions on both reconciliation and healing.
