Trinity Rodman, the Olympic gold medal-winning soccer player and daughter of five-time NBA champion Dennis Rodman, has publicly opened up about her tumultuous relationship with her father, criticizing his absence throughout her life. During her appearance on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, Trinity did not hold back, expressing her feelings of sorrow and betrayal felt at being raised without her father's support.
"He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else," she stated, detailing the emotional pain tied to Dennis's inconsistency. She recalled moments when hearing his voice evoked feelings of hurt, indicating the chasm of neglect separating them. "Hearing his voice is painful," she added, underlining the complex mix of longing and resentment she experiences.
Despite Dennis Rodman's illustrious NBA career, which reportedly earned him over $27 million, Trinity recounted periods of extreme hardship, including times when she and her family lived out of a car. "We had [a Ford] Expedition and we kind of lived in it for a little bit," she shared, capturing the stark reality of her childhood. Despite attempts to maintain proximity, the chaotic atmosphere surrounding her father's lifestyle left much to be desired as she described him hosting parties all the time. "We tried to live with him, but he’s having parties 24/7, he is bringing random bitches in," Trinity explained, painting a vivid picture of dysfunction.
Trinity’s mother, Michelle Moyer, has faced many hurdles, and it was during the tough times after her parents’ divorce, finalized in 2012, when Dennis’s financial support became inconsistent. Initially, he contributed monetary help, but as the family broke apart, Trinity felt the shift when he reportedly stopped providing for them. "Before the divorce, my dad was actually helping money-wise," she revealed. "After the divorce, it was just like, ‘F you guys.’”
Reflecting the impact of these hardships, Trinity admitted it affected her self-esteem growing up. "I wasn't confident. It was embarrassing to say, 'Hey I don't have money,'" she stated, expressing the deep-rooted feelings stemming from their unstable living conditions.
When she was drafted by the Washington Spirit at just 18 years old, she hoped for some sense of reconciliation between her and her father. Dennis showed up unexpectedly at one of her playoff matches against North Carolina Courage, but instead of feeling joy, Trinity was filled with anger. "When he showed up at my game, I was, like, so mad. I started crying on the field," she recounted, highlighting the conflicting emotions she battled. Their moment captured on camera reportedly led to misunderstanding, as many assumed it was just the joyful reunion media often romanticize. "I walked over there, he grabs my head and I just start bawling," she said, describing how she mixed anger with the longing for paternal affection.
The result of the embrace went viral, misleading many to think the father-daughter bond had been rekindled. "Afterwards, radio silence. I didn’t see him for, like… until this year," she lamented. Her hopes for improvement dissipated, leading her to express the painful realization, “Stupid me for thinking there would be some type of new spark.”
Before long, the emotional rollercoaster continued during phone calls she received from him over the past few weeks. Acknowledging his struggle with alcoholism, she admitted how these interactions have affected her. "I think it fs me up every single time," reflecting on the painful experience of hearing the transformation of her father's demeanor. "It’s missing him mixed with he’s an alcoholic," she clarified.
Trinity described how she answers his calls now solely out of conscience, hoping for closure if anything were to happen. “I answer the phone now for my conscience,” she said. "That’s why I answer the phone, not for me." Later adding, “I genuinely keep thinking he’s gone,” as she reflects on Dennis's decline over the years.
From her upbringing marked by financial struggle and emotional neglect to becoming one of the stars of the US Women’s National Team, Trinity has encountered numerous challenges. Although she contributed to her team's recent gold medal victory at this year’s Paris Olympics, she has found herself at odds with her father, whom she now regards as emotionally absent. She is not seeking to repair their relationship, firmly believing her father has offered little but pain and disappointment. "He's not a dad, maybe by blood, but nothing else," she reiterated, emphasizing the disconnect she feels as they navigate their complex lives apart.
