A Fractured Family Connection
Trinity Rodman, the rising soccer star, recently opened up on the Call Her Daddy podcast about her tumultuous relationship with her father, Dennis Rodman, the former NBA icon known almost as much for his outrageous behavior off the court as for his skills on it. In a candid conversation, Trinity painted a stark picture, asserting, "He's not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else." Her words reflect years of unresolved issues and a longing for a paternal bond that she feels never existed.
Growing up, Trinity lived with her older brother D.J., father Dennis, and mother Michelle Moyer. Their time together was marred by disruption as Michelle eventually decided to move the family out of Dennis's Southern California home. His lifestyle, characterized by constant partying and a revolving door of guests, was not conducive to family life. Trinity recalls, "We tried to live with him, but he's having parties 24/7, he's bringing random bitches in..." It’s evident that the environment was far from ideal for young children.
Life on the Move
After the move, life wasn't easy for Trinity, her brother, and their mother. They found shelter first in a Ford Expedition, followed by a stint in a motel, and later, all three of them shared a cramped single room. Despite these challenging circumstances, Trinity's mother, Michelle, worked tirelessly to shield her children from the chaotic nature of their situation. "My mom was really good at making every situation seem smoother than it actually was," Trinity shared, indicating a deep appreciation for her mother's resilience and ability to turn adversity into normalcy.
Despite living in the same city, Dennis was largely absent from their lives, supposedly seeing his children just a handful of times each year. Trinity's reflections suggest a man caught in a cycle of addiction and poor influences, something she believes stripped him of control over his own life. "I think with how successful he was and how rich he was, he was surrounded by a lot of toxic people who would take his money and take advantage of him," she explains, tying his struggles with substance abuse and personal turmoil to the people around him.
Pursuing Soccer Dreams
While her father’s involvement was minimal, Trinity found support elsewhere, particularly from Greg Baker, her club soccer coach. His guidance was instrumental in her early career, and she credits him for much of her progress and success in soccer. In 2021, her hard work paid off when she was drafted by the Washington Spirit, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Even as her professional life blossomed, personal tensions remained. Dennis's brief appearance at a Washington Spirit playoff game symbolized more disruption than reconciliation for Trinity. Reflecting on that moment, she recalled, "When he showed up at my game, I was, like, so mad. I started crying on the field." This emotional eruption underlines the complexity of their relationship, where public gestures seem to compound private grievances.
In the aftermath, her father’s continued lack of communication took its toll, with Trinity lamenting that months passed without contact. Yet, she explained why she still keeps the door open slightly, saying, "I answer the phone now for my conscience, to be like, if something does happen, god forbid, I want to know to know that I did that..." Her words highlight a lingering hope for closure or change, a testament to the human heart’s resilience and desire for connection despite past hurts.