I am sure that headline is no shocker. This is especially true for fans of the reality television show “Celebrity Rehab” starring Dr. Drew Pinsky. Rodman spent one eventful season on the show and mouthed off at length how he was no going to get sober.
I am sure his costar Heidi Fleiss, the former Hollywood Madam who continues to battle her own addiction demons, understands completely. As reported in espn.go.com.
Dennis Rodman has made headlines throughout his career and his post basketball life by getting arrested and having drunken orgies. He also is well-known from running off at the mouth. Now he may actually be admitting he has a problem. Rodman checked into an undisclosed alcohol rehabilitation center to treat his longtime struggle with alcoholism.
Rodman recently returned to the United States from his latest trip to North Korea where he once again made a total ass of himself with stupid comments.
He later apologized for comments he made in North Korea about a detained American missionary, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized an exhibition game there. He also sang "Happy Birthday" to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the start of the friendly game.
Rodman won five NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls and was one of the NBA's fiercest rebounders and most colorful personalities. Detroit selected Rodman in the second round of the 1986 draft out of Southeastern Oklahoma. The native of Trenton, N.J., also played for Chicago, San Antonio, the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas. He was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in of 2011.
He stamped his name on "Dennis Rodman -- The original Bad Ass Premium Vodka," late last year. It was in the works before his relations with North Korea, but has taken off since.
But the 52-year-old Rodman has been denounced for not trying to use his influence with Kim to secure the release of Kenneth Bae, an American missionary with health problems who is being held in North Korea on charges of "anti-state" crimes.
He organized a group of retired NBA players to travel to North Korea for that exhibition game. Rodman dedicated the contest to his "best friend" Kim, who along with his wife and other senior officials and their wives watched from a special seating area. The capacity crowd of about 14,000 at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium clapped loudly as Rodman sang a verse from the song.
Rodman had an angry meltdown before the game on CNN, defending his decision to travel to North Korea.
He claims to be embarrassed, saddened and remorseful for the anger and hurt his words have caused. Time will tell just how remorseful he is. Actions certainly speak louder than words. Staying sober will be a good sign as will going out of his way to help others with addiction issues. I hope a 30 hour alcohol awareness class takes him to long-term sobriety.