Dennis Rodman was a defensive mastermind in his day. He belonged to that rare breed of players who were all about their business and offered an unwavering intensity to the game. Whichever team he joined, he was instrumental in their success.
Rodman established a reputation as a top-tier defender by using his natural tenacity to corral rebounds. Off the court, though, his eccentricities made him one of the most notoriously remembered NBA players of all time. He was a controversial yet colorful character whose escapades seemed too bizarre to be believed. ‘The Worm’ was truly unique, both on and off the court.
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Rodman gave way to countless bizarre moments, but one stands out above the others. The Chicago Bulls legend startled the world in 1996 when he attempted to marry himself. He appeared at his book signing in a bridal gown, sitting in a horse-drawn carriage. To add to the extravaganza, he arrived flanked by several women dressed in tuxedos.
He orchestrated the whole thing to promote his book ‘Bad as I Wanna Be’. Interestingly, he discussed his fixation on cross-dressing in the same book. Rodman remarked that cross-dressing allowed him to express all of his sides and that he is presenting the world with a total package. Remarkably, his stunt paid off.
Did you know Dennis Rodman once married himself? That’s what you call self love 😂🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/vEZAxoFUjC
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) August 3, 2022
His book ranked among the bestsellers for several months owing to his public stunt to marry himself. Many people turned out to witness the fantastic display. The player went on to solidify himself as a symbol for individuals to express themselves fearlessly. Rodman eventually revealed that the entire stunt earned him $10 million.
"That was the beginning of the rockstar Dennis Rodman."
Rodman goes into the story behind him getting married in a wedding dress. (via @30for30) pic.twitter.com/TK4XG91cyI
— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2019
Rodman marrying himself made him a boatload of money; however, his marriage to Carmen Electra was a different story.
Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra’s marriage lasted only nine days
Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra’s story commenced at a nightclub. Electra once recalled how, after their first meeting, the Bulls star would call her every day and invite her to hang out with him. For a time, the model ignored his calls and texts until one day she picked up Rodman’s phone and agreed to go out with him.
Following days of getting to know each other, the romance between the two kicked off. Following several dates, what the two did had the world stunned. In November 1998, Rodman and Carmen got married in Las Vegas. The unforeseen yet sensational union dominated the headlines. The marriage, however, was short-lived.
#TBT November 14 1998, Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra get married after a reported late-night bender in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/lt0Lmm9uEX
— Jewel Event Centre (@jewelwoodbridge) March 10, 2016
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Dennis Rodman filed for divorce nine days later, providing another startling twist to the saga. According to reports, the two continued to spend time together and were seen together in public, hoping of reconciling; nevertheless, this proved ineffective.
Their divorce was finalized in March 1999, bringing an end to a marriage that lasted barely around six months.
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Rodman was certainly one-of-a-kind. What is your favorite notorious Dennis Rodman story? Let us know in the comments section below.