“How Dare People Talk About Dennis Rodman’s White Family”: When Shirley Rodman Was Offended by ‘Homeless’ Son’s Surrogate Parents

As a child, Dennis Rodman never knew what affection. He was never hugged, never shown the love and care necessary for a child’s development. His mother, Shirley Rodman, deemed Rodman incapable of success in his life. She chose her two daughters over the awkward and timid Rodman. By 19, he was homeless, betrayed by the only mother he had.

But fate had other ideas. Dennis’s huge growth spurt pave the path to a basketball scholarship. He moved to the tiny town of Durant where he met the Rich family. In time, they would become his surrogate family and give him everything he had ever craved from his own mother.

After Rodman’s success, Shirley shared her dissatisfaction with the portrayal of Rodman’s bond with the Rich family. Shirley found it offensive. She claimed her right to be Dennis’s only mother.

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Shirley claimed to be the only mother to Dennis Rodman

Shirley finally decided to acknowledge her protective instinct for Dennis only after he found the Rich Family. Once the media began to praise Pat Rich for treating the 6ft 8″ as her own son, Shirley began to rile up.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, she clarified her stance on the Richs. Shirley reassured the press that she was on cordial terms with Dennis and the Richs. However, she confessed she was deeply hurt by the narrative run in the media.

Shirley: “I’m not angry at anyone, I’ve had no falling out with the Riches or my son. But how dare people sit there and talk about Dennis’ ‘surrogate’ white family or his second mother? He doesn`t need another mother. He has one. I raised my son. Looking back at my life, being alone, I’m amazed I did what I did. Then, I look at Dennis’ life, and it’s even more mind-boggling to me. I think of the nights I sat in this apartment here alone for hours, night after night, wondering, ‘Is my son dead tonight? Is he gonna be in jail when I wake up tomorrow? Or the day after that?'”

The Worm eventually had a fallout with Rich Family

Dennis Rodman shared a precious bond with the Richs. Byrne was his close friend. He had helped him through a very troubling time. When Byrne was 12, he accidentally shot and killed his best friend. A few months later, he met Rodman and the two immediately became friends.

Byrne’s mother and father took Dennis into their houses and treated him as a part of the family. In fact, Dennis borrowed money from Byrne’s father to buy his car. Unfortunately, a verbal spat between Pat and Dennis eventually contaminated the precious bond.

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