The life story of Dennis Rodman is a classic rags-to-riches tale. The five-time NBA champion has been vocal about his childhood for a time. That phase of his life was punctuated with hardships. His father abandoned him when he was young, he lived in the streets, got arrested, and had to struggle for money.

His mother, Shirley Rodman, took up multiple jobs to support the family. This, however, meant that she couldn’t be present in their home. This was a looming issue for Dennis Rodman, as he was hungry for filial love. He craved emotional encouragement more than financial.

Dennis Rodman craved his mother’s attention

In his documentary, ‘Rodman Revealed’, the player contrasted his family with that of the Rich’s family. He stayed at his friend’s home for almost three years and observed the stark differences. Rodman recalls how he lived in an environment where people, including his parents, were cussing at him. Whereas the Rich’s family on the other hand exposed him to affectionate banter between family members. Living with the family also introduced him to a routine, that Rodman benefited from having.

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Rodman said the Rich family paid attention to him. “Because my mother never paid attention to me”, Rodman circled back. He admitted to never being kissed by her or hugged.

However, Rodman is not saying this out of spite or any kind of contempt toward his mother. He understands that even if she wanted to indulge him with these gestures, her circumstances didn’t allow her to.

He credited the Rich family with having given him that attention because it permitted him to fully focus on the game of basketball.

In an interview with Jackie MacMullan, he got emotional while expressing his need for motherly love. Tears started to well up and he choked while speaking.

Here too, Rodman understood why his mother did what she did. But it is a theme that has been dominant in his life for a long time.

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He said that he just needed someone to love him and care for him. Today, Dennis Rodman has an army of devoted fans who adore, respect, and admire him. And most, definitely, those who love him.

Will it substitute a mother’s love? Probably not. But his fans can only hope that it counts for something.