Being an athlete is not always a fairy tale. In fact, it’s one of the toughest jobs out there. In Last Dance, Dennis Rodman confessed that NBA stars were paid so much money to handle the press, not to play. While it’s a slightly far-fetched statement, it still makes you wonder about the extent of stress such constant public scrutiny can build.
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Maybe that is why Dennis Rodman was pushed to take the steps he did on that unfortunate night in 1993. Luckily, Rodman fell asleep before he could harm himself.
In his book Bad As I Wanna Be, Rodman, in the aftermath of his NBA stardom and suicide attempt, revealed that he wished he wasn’t an NBA star.
Dennis Rodman wished to have a regular job
In 1995-96, Rodman played his last season with the Detroit Pistons. His time in Detroit had been very precious to him, he had finally found a town and people who honestly loved him. However, the same affection also gave way too acute depression.
In 1993, he attempted to end his life but luckily failed. After that, he claimed he killed the imposter that resided within him. Though, in his book, he still hinted at feeling like an imposter. Ironically, the very career that had led him to success also led him to a mental breakdown.
Rodman in his book claimed that he wished to be a regular guy. Being an NBA star had left a hole in his soul. All Dennis Rodman hoped for was a means to feel better.
Rodman: “I didn’t want anybody else around. This was a battle with myself. Nobody else mattered. I just kept thinking, This isn’t me. This isn’t Dennis Rodman. You’re looking at somebody who’s living somebody else’s life. I was sitting there wishing I could go to sleep and wake up in Dallas, back home—a normal, grind-it-out, nine-to-five guy, just like I was before any of this lightning struck in my life. I was burning a big hole in my soul, and for what? I had everything I wanted, but I was trying to be somebody I wasn’t.”
The Worm’s marriage to Annie Bakes wreaked havoc on his mental state
In his book, Rodman detailed the impact his marriage to Annie Bakes had on his mental state. Dennis confessed that he had married Annie only because Alexis had requested so. Listening to his daughter’s wish came back to haunt him big time.
In fact, the marriage did not even last three months before they decided to part ways. Rodman claimed that both Annie and he were regular adulterers in their marriage. He also believed that Annie tried to turn Alexis against him.
The eventual divorce and lack of being able to meet his daughter was too much for the man. Maybe, the divorce and the inability to meet his child freely pushed him to the brink of suicide.
