Trinity Rodman, a rising star in U.S. women’s soccer, has never shied away from discussing her unconventional upbringing as the daughter of former NBA legend Dennis Rodman. But in a recent, deeply personal interview, the 21-year-old forward offered her most candid and stinging critique yet of her father, describing him not as a supportive parent, but rather a distant figure more concerned with his own lifestyle than his children’s well-being.
During an appearance on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Rodman—fresh off her Olympic gold medal victory with the U.S. Women’s National Team this past summer—addressed lingering questions about her relationship with Dennis. While she has acknowledged the strained bond in the past, never before had she spoken so openly about the anger and disappointment she feels.
“We never want to make him look bad, and that is at the cost of kind of holding it in a lot,” Trinity confessed, explaining why she had previously chosen not to air her grievances in public. “I guess it’s just like the anger that I haven’t really been able to let out is difficult for me.”
In the preview clip shared from the podcast, Rodman painted a picture of a father who thrived on chaos and public attention, often at her family’s expense. “We had an expedition and we kind of lived in that for a little bit,” she recalled. “We tried to live with him but he’s having parties 24/7, he’s bringing random [expletives] in. He loves the spotlight, he loves the cameras, he loves bringing us on stage and being like, ‘These are my kids.’”
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But to Trinity, this show of paternal pride rang hollow. “He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else,” she said bluntly, summing up years of disappointment, frustration, and unmet expectations.
This is not the first time Trinity has addressed the complexities of growing up as Dennis Rodman’s daughter.
In a 2021 interview with The Wall Street Journal, when she was just launching her professional career, Trinity took a more measured tone. She acknowledged that the two were not close, yet expressed empathy for Dennis’s struggles and refrained from harsh criticism. “I have nothing, honestly, bad to say about him,” she said at the time. “Right now, our relationship is not really there, but at the same time, I think we’re both in a place where it’s OK.”
The shift in Trinity’s rhetoric from cautious understanding to outright disillusionment speaks volumes about the emotional toll that unresolved family issues can take, especially when played out in the public eye.
The past few years have seen her become one of the brightest young talents in women’s soccer—winning honors on the field and earning admirers for her skill, work ethic, and professional demeanor. Yet, as she’s grown older and gained more confidence in her own voice, Trinity has chosen to address the emotional wounds that have accompanied her success.
Despite the rawness of her comments on “Call Her Daddy,” Trinity’s reflections suggest that she is ready to move forward on her own terms. It also underscores the disappointment she feels at the lack of meaningful support from her father during her formative years and early professional career.
Still, it would be premature to rule out the possibility of reconciliation. Trinity is only at the start of what promises to be a long and storied soccer career, and Dennis Rodman, for all his faults, remains a larger-than-life figure capable of surprising turns.
Perhaps, with time and understanding, they might find a way to rebuild some semblance of a relationship off-camera, away from the glare of fame and notoriety that once defined Dennis’s NBA career.
For now, Trinity Rodman is forging ahead, focusing on her development on the pitch and her personal growth off it.
Though her father’s influence on her life has been far from nurturing, she’s emerged as a poised, resilient athlete who wants to be recognized on her own merits. Fans will continue to cheer her on, hoping that, eventually, the family drama can fade into the background of a bright future in soccer.
