Trinity Rodman and Dad Dennis Rodman’s Estrangement Explained

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That’s Trinity Rodman.

Not “Tiffany Rodman” and, please, not “Dennis Rodman’s daughter.”

She has always aspired to make a name for herself, having been one of three children from an NBA alum. This ambition took root ever since she was drafted by the Washington Spirit in 2021, with her soccer career being nurtured by her mom, Michelle Moyer, who raised her.

Clearly, he was a fantastic athlete, and it seems I inherited that talent from him. However, what excites me most is being recognized as Trinity Rodman, rather than the daughter of Dennis Rodman.

She was crowned as the 2021 Rookie of the Year for the National Women’s Soccer League and also recognized as the US Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. Additionally, she played a significant role in helping her team, based in Washington D.C., win their inaugural league championship. In 2022, she made her debut with the U.S. Women’s National Team, and in 2023, she competed in her first World Cup.

On her resume, include the gold medal she earned during the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s no wonder she felt frustrated when a Wimbledon commentator mistakenly called her name and then mentioned her father’s career while acknowledging her presence at the tournament in 2025.

On July 7th, Trinity was seated with Ben Shelton’s family, watching his tennis match in its fourth round. However, during the broadcast, BBC Sports’ Andrew Castle mistakenly referred to her as “Tiffany” multiple times. He erroneously described her as part of the “U.S. football national team setup,” before praising Dennis as one of the greatest athletes across all sports.

Later, Andrew discussed a former basketball player at length. However, after the game, Trinity clarified on her Instagram Story that she’s known as ‘Trinity’, not ‘Tiffany’. She further expressed why his remarks were particularly hurtful to her.

In her July 7 post, she mentioned that Ben’s family, including his father, are there to support him at his matches. However, she stated that her father isn’t part of her life and finds it unnecessary for him to be mentioned during Ben’s games, especially since she doesn’t want him discussed during hers.

In my professional capacity, I’d like to express a sincere apology for an oversight that occurred during the recent Ben Shelton versus Lorenzo Sonego match. I inadvertently mispronounced Trinity Rodman’s name, and for that, I am truly sorry. It was not my intention to cause any disrespect or confusion, and I aim to do better moving forward.

Regarding further discussions about her father, Trinity has respectfully answered questions on this topic for quite some time now. However, she has valid explanations, not just because she seeks individual recognition, for establishing certain boundaries.

Here is what to know about Trinity and Dennis’ complicated relationship:

Trinity Rodman was born on May 20, 2002, to retired basketball player Dennis Rodman and Michelle Moyer, who were parents to their 13-month-old son, Dennis Rodman Jr. The couple tied the knot on May 13, 2003, which was Dennis’s 42nd birthday. Prior to this marriage, Dennis had been married for 82 days to Annie Bakes, who is the mother of his eldest daughter, Teyana Lima. He also wed Carmen Electra for a brief five months.

As an ardent admirer putting words to the tale, Dennis shared with the Los Angeles Times that he and my beloved third wife don’t reside under one roof. Instead, she dwells approximately 2 miles from me in Newport Beach, Calif., and I cherish this setup. On weekends, she and our precious offspring visit me, a routine that brings immense joy to my heart.

In 2004, Michelle initiated a divorce, but she and Dennis later patched things up, staying married until 2012. Nevertheless, it was Michelle who primarily raised Trinity and D.J. over the years.

Initially, DJ participated in basketball at Washington State University, while Trinity had planned to join the soccer team there during her freshman year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her freshman season got canceled. Instead, at the age of 18, Trinity decided to register for the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League draft and was chosen as the second pick by Washington Spirit.

In high school, Trinity wasn’t particularly low-key like a Rodman, but it was only when she turned professional that the public learned about the strained relationship between her and her father, which gained attention along with her impressive soccer abilities.

Initially, Trinity handled the undeniable connection in a composed manner, telling The Guardian in 2021, “He’s my father at heart, and I don’t believe this bond will fade. So, I simply respond to the questions and then carry on.

Raised as the child of a well-known sports figure, she shared that this fact “sparked me on rather than weighing me down.” Instead of feeling frustrated about being overshadowed or believing “This is irritating, I don’t even have an identity,” she was more inclined to think, “I’ll prove to these people that I am unique and I’m going to excel in soccer just as he did in basketball.” In essence, she credits her motivation to the influence of her famous father.

Although Trinity wasn’t born until after her father had accumulated rebounds during his Hall of Fame career, she still had access to YouTube.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in July 2023, Trinity shared that her father was played much more than most people realize. She went on to explain that her brother grew up primarily by watching videos of her dad’s games.

Although she forged her unique path on the soccer field instead of mirroring him on the basketball court, she discovered numerous insights from his playstyle.

She said it was a combination of timing, anticipation, agility, and positioning that made him exceptional. People often overlook his intelligence, but he was more than just an exceptional athlete. In her opinion, he was one of the smartest players around, understanding the game better than most.

Regarding Dennis’ notorious way of life, she commented, “On those days when he wasn’t fully ready for the games due to his nightlife—and everyone is aware of this—he still showed up…His mindset was absolutely remarkable.

Although Trinity received recognition from NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal when she joined the U.S. Women’s National Team prior to the Women’s World Cup in 2023, there was no notable acknowledgment from her father in the public sphere.

But ahead of the tournament, Trinity said she’s “gotten closure with it all.”

She informed the Los Angeles Times about her father, ‘I genuinely believe he’s proud of me.’ Despite his own matters, he’s made it clear to me that he knew I would make it, and that’s enough for me.

For a long time, Trinity had cheerfully discussed her father, but ultimately, she admitted that they hadn’t maintained a close bond.

In a December 2024 episode of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, she stated that he wasn’t a father to him in any real sense. Biologically, perhaps, but there was no other connection. Listening to his voice was distressing for her.

According to Trinity, they – she and her brother D.J. – have consistently shown great kindness in their public statements towards him. They both strive to avoid portraying him negatively, even if it means concealing their disagreements, as it’s painful for them to do so.

As time went by, I’ve been doing my best to conceal my confusion about his emotions and his whereabouts, but truth be told, I’m completely clueless.

Dennis provided financial guidance to his mom when she was a child, as Trinity mentioned. However, once Michelle divorced him, it seemed like he turned his back on her, saying something along the lines of “I don’t care about you anymore.” After their split in 2012, the former couple had numerous legal battles over alimony and child support payments.

Michelle often worked hard to present “each predicament as less bumpy than it truly was” in an effort to safeguard herself and D.J., but Trinity bluntly stated that Dennis “spent every moment partying. We attempted to coexist with him, yet he seemed to host parties around the clock.

She remarked, “I believe he’s incredibly self-centered.” Furthermore, she pointed out, even though her father endured significant personal traumas, he struggled to comprehend that others might genuinely want to spend time with him and bring joy to his life.

After Dennis secured the Spirit’s victory against the North Carolina Courage in Washington D.C. on November 7, 2021, he and Trinity warmly embraced. At that moment, Trinity expressed her mixed emotions, stating she was “astonished, swamped, joyful, sorrowful, everything” upon his arrival. She further clarified on Instagram that her father plays a minimal role in her life, and many people are unaware of this, as they often disagree on various matters.

Though our bond isn’t perfect,” she noted, “remember, we are both humans. He is my father, and I am his daughter; this connection remains unaltered no matter what.

The team secured their initial league title, while Trinity was recognized as the NWSL’s Rookie of the Year.

However, it’s been several years since they last saw each other, and Trinity expressed her anger by stating on the podcast “Call Her Daddy” that she was “quite furious” to discover he was present.

In her first professional season and facing a quarterfinal match, she admitted that she was already extremely nervous. She felt tense, thinking, “We have to win!” Then she heard Dennis Rodman call out, urging her on, saying, “Let’s go, Rodman, let’s go, Trinity.” She responded with surprise, exclaiming something like, “Oh my goodness!” She couldn’t believe it because she hadn’t interacted with him or spoken to him in months.

Once my dad suggested we meet up during his trip to D.C., but unfortunately, it never materialized. I naively thought it might ignite a fresh dynamic between us, but alas, that’s been my pattern all along.

During his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, Dennis expressed gratitude for the recognition of his basketball abilities, but also pointed out areas where he felt he fell short in life. In his acceptance speech, he confessed, “I have one regret: I wish I could have been a better father.

In 2019, he openly admitted his struggles as a father, confessing that it was challenging for him to let go of his defensive behavior, even within his family. He expressed to ESPN, “The main challenge I face now is convincing myself that I’m a good dad.” When asked about how he was working on being a good parent, he said, “Somehow, it’s extremely difficult for me to break free from this pattern. I never had anyone to guide me out of it before. Sometimes, I question, ‘Why should I do it for someone else?’

“It’s hard for me to just gravitate to people,” he said, “even though inside I love them.”

He made another rare comment in response to Trinity’s Call Her Daddy interview.

He expressed regret for not living up to the father figure you expected, but he emphasized that his efforts never ceased and they continue today. Regardless of any obstacles, such as being ignored or having difficulty reaching him, he vows to keep trying.

He consistently expresses to you, whether it’s your voice or a voicemail, how incredibly proud he is of you. His one heartfelt desire has always been for his children to call him and visit. Fingers crossed that one day this dream becomes a reality…You can see that I continue to make the effort, I’m still around.

Trinity shared with The Guardian in 2021 that while her father is well-known as an NBA star, people often overlook her mother’s significant role in her life. She wants to make it clear that her mother has been her pillar of support throughout every aspect of life and is not only her best friend but also her rock. People might not realize the extent of their closeness, but she emphasizes that even though her mother wasn’t an NBA star, she possesses a highly competitive and driven spirit, and she is an incredibly strong woman. She considers her mother as her role model.

Michelle, who relocated to D.C. along with her when they both joined the Spirit, took on most of the responsibilities as a parent.

Trinity pondered over the strange sensation of recognizing herself in someone she hardly knew, during the March 2025 debut of Prime Video’s For the Win NWSL. “It feels like I share a bond with her that transcends words,” she mused, “My mom and I will always be tightly knit. She selflessly supports me in every way possible, and she has been my biggest cheerleader throughout all these years.

Furthermore, Trinity clarified, “People often assume I’m swift due to my father, but I set the record straight. I say, ‘Actually, it was my mom who was speedy.’ However, my dad was incredibly athletic.

Prior to her comeback with the national team in April 2025, Trinity revealed which individuals will be present to cheer her on during the USWNT’s inaugural game at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.

Rodman stated to the Times that he anticipates many friends and relatives beyond immediate family will attend. Therefore, he needs additional tickets since his top priorities are his sister, niece, nephew, and mother.

Discussing Trinity’s attendance at Ben Shelton’s fourth-round match at Wimbledon in July 2025 sparked much conversation, especially since a BBC Sports commentator mistakenly referred to her as “Tiffany” and subsequently celebrated her father as an exceptional rebounder among the all-time greats.

It was a digression that Trinity found disrespectful in more ways than one.

In her Instagram post following Ben’s game, she expressed that while he had his family present as a source of support, including his father, her own dad is not part of her life. She made it clear that she doesn’t appreciate mentioning him during Ben’s games, since he’s rarely mentioned in her own matches.

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2025-07-12 15:20