Dennis Rodman has always been the person to wear his heart on the sleeve. From not being able to make it to the Chicago Bulls’ ring of honor ceremony to his Hall of Fame speech, there have been multiple instances that we witnessed The Worm getting real about his emotions. The more recent one was closer home, after losing his mother, Shirley Rodman. But that wouldn’t be the last time this month Rodman’s emotions would be brought to the surface.

“… Thank you for being My Mother Forever My Angel… RIP Mom” he wrote in a heartfelt message for his mother. Few days in, the Chicago Bulls star was yet again in tears as he reminisced all the love he is surrounded with.

During the recent podcast episode of Got Sole, Rodman was asked for one message he has for his fans all around the world. “I must did something right in the world for people like me…” he started, but could not continue. Seemingly, because of an overwhelming realization of how far he has come. And all the people who made it possible for him to make it this far.

Most fans of Dennis Rodman would know that he had all but an easy life. His father left him at 5. He had a complicated relationship with his mother — to the extent that she had to leave him in jail for a night for him to learn a lesson. And the criticism of his lifestyle choices through a major part of his career. This is just a surface level reminder of what Rodman faced through his life.

It’s easy to get lost in emotions when you have quick flash back of everything at once. The 2x DPOY, however, pulled through his emotions and delivered the message he wanted to for his fan on the podcast.

“… Young kids… have their own activities, their own reason to be going forward, and just don’t let negativity… override you…. keep what you got going on,” he said on the podcast. Rodman used the podcast hosts Jonathan and Joey DiModica as two examples. Notably, this podcast episode was not the first instance when The Worm found the love he has received unrealistic.

The time Dennis Rodman couldn’t believe himself to be a worthy Hall of Famer

During an interview with Howard Stern, Rodman revealed he experienced genuine shock when he heard that the Detroit Pistons were retiring his jersey. And that he has earned a place in the Hall of Fame. For Rodman, it wasn’t about the emotional impact of such honors. But rather the disbelief that he was deemed worthy of them.

“It was the fact that I couldn’t believe they were doing it,” he admitted, reflecting on how he felt like just another piece of the team. “I should’ve been there a lot longer than I was. I mean, of my whole time there, just 4 years were really significant. That’s the reason I was saying that, because it could’ve been at least 10, 11, 12 years…” he added.

Despite The Worm’s reservations, basketball fans know the truth. His impact was undeniable. Standing at just 6’7″, he became the league’s best defender and rebounder at the time. So his statement from the podcast just needs a slight adjustment. Yes, Dennis Rodman, you did a lot of things “right in the [basketball] world” for fans all over the world to like you.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.