
via Imago
Nov 18, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Former Chicago Bulls Dennis Rodman before the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

via Imago
Nov 18, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Former Chicago Bulls Dennis Rodman before the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
No, this isn’t another April Fool’s joke—though with Dennis Rodman involved, you’d be forgiven for second-guessing reality. The iconic NBA rebounding machine, nicknamed “The Worm,” racked up five championship rings during his wild and wildly successful career—three with Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls during their second three-peat (1996–1998) and two earlier with the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons. Rodman is as famous for his defensive tenacity and rebounding dominance—averaging an eye-popping 13.1 boards per game over his career—as he is for his technicolor hair, off-court antics, and unpredictably magnetic presence. But earlier this month, the Hall of Famer found himself tangled in yet another bizarre incident, one that stirred concern among fans and tabloids alike. Now, just weeks later, he’s back in the public eye with an unexpected twist.
In what promises to be a rare and unforgettable appearance, Dennis Rodman is set to meet fans face-to-face in Southern California. Having kept a relatively low profile in recent months, the flamboyant Bulls legend is resurfacing for a one-day-only public autograph signing in Long Beach on April 26, 2025. Organized by The OC Dugout—one of the premier names in sports memorabilia—this exclusive event will take place at the cutting-edge D’Arnaud Athletics Baseballism Academy. Known for drawing die-hard collectors and nostalgic basketball buffs alike, the signing is expected to draw a crowd as colorful and passionate as Rodman himself. Whether you’re a Bulls superfan, a Pistons purist, or just someone with a soft spot for ’90s sports icons, this is one signature moment you won’t want to miss.
“There’s no one like Rodman. He’s a cultural force, not just a basketball legend — and bringing him to Long Beach is about more than just an autograph. It’s about creating a once-in-a-lifetime, Instagram-worthy experience for fans of all ages,” Brian, CEO of The OC Dugout said.
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Getting back to the April Fool’s trend, there was horrific news making the rounds on social media. It read that the Bulls legend passed away due to an ‘autoerotic asphyxiation accident.’ The news spread like wildfire, causing massive shock among the fans. However, this was fake news.

via Getty
PHILADELPHIA, : The Chicago Bulls Dennis Rodman looks to pass while being guarded by Philadelphia 76ers Rex Walters in their game 12 March in Philadelphia. Rodman had 17 rebounds in the Bulls 108-104 win. (Photo credit should read TOM MIHALEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Much later that day, Rodman responded to the rumors. He shared a snap of himself on social media, sporting his usual sunglasses and a black zip-up hoodie, giving two thumbs up to pose for the camera. “Yesss Sirr Alive and Well What’s up,” he wrote to comfort the fans that he is absolutely fine. While these pranks aren’t exactly uncommon, they have always managed to scare people.
Just a few months ago, the Chicago Bulls legend was in the headlines for his public apology to his kids.
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Dennis Rodman apologized to daughter Trinity Rodman
This came after Rodman’s daughter opened up about her relationship with her father. During her appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, USWNT rising star Trinity Rodman candidly shared the emotional complexities of growing up in the shadow of an NBA legend. She claimed that Rodman was largely absent during her childhood, physically and emotionally distant—a void that shaped her formative years. The same sentiment appeared to resonate with her brother, DJ Rodman, who once dedicated a Father’s Day post not to his father, but to his mother, Michelle Moyer, acknowledging her unwavering role in raising them.
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Trinity detailed that at times, she went years without hearing a word from her father. One particularly emotional moment she recalled was during the 2021 NWSL quarterfinal match, when Rodman made a surprise appearance at halftime. Trinity broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the sudden presence of a father she hadn’t seen in years—his unexpected arrival crashing into the emotions of the game and the weight of unresolved feelings.
Sometime after the podcast, Rodman took to social media to write a heartfelt apology. “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. I will keep trying even when you’re being told as an adult not to respond to my phone calls. I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time,” the Chicago Bulls legend wrote.
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via Imago
Dennis Rodman (L) and daughter Trinity Rodman (R)
Even during his 2011 Hall of Fame induction speech—one of the most raw and unconventional in the event’s history—Rodman pulled back the curtain on his larger-than-life persona. Amid reflections on his basketball career, his friendships, and his battles with identity and addiction, he admitted that his deepest regret was not a missed rebound or a lost game, but failing to be the kind of father his children deserved. “I wish I was a better father,” choking back tears. It was a powerful, humanizing moment—proof that behind the outrageous headlines and wild stories, there’s a man still searching for peace, forgiveness, and a second chance to be the dad he never quite figured out how to be.
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Is Dennis Rodman's legacy defined by his on-court brilliance or his off-court controversies?