“I was a very functional alcoholic” – When Rodman mirrored on MJ saying he would not stay to 40 due to his life-style

While Dennis Rodman was nice on the basketball courtroom, constructing a Hall-of-Fame profession with quite a few particular person and group accolades, his off-court life-style did not comply with an elite athlete’s typical routine. The Worm was a celebration animal, not shy about his style for alcohol and unhealthy habits.

The expressive and outgoing model of Rodman was at its peak throughout his Chicago Bulls days, however he by no means let it have an effect on his sport. The energy ahead nonetheless introduced it each night time and performed a significant position within the Bulls’ three-peat from 1996 to 1998.

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As such, Michael Jordan could not actually say something or complain to Rodman about his lifestyle. However, on a private notice, MJ as soon as shared that he feared Dennis would not make it to 40 if he stored this up.

Interestingly, in a 2020 interview, Rodman reacted to Jordan’s assertion and defined how he managed to stay on prime of his sport whereas going out nightly and getting drunk.

“Everybody said that because I was burning both ends, and I can play basketball and go out all night to six in the morning, trying to practice at 10. I was doing it like three years straight with the Bulls, and I’m functioning. I was a very functional alcoholic. I worked out a lot, and that’s what really saved me. I worked out so much all day long,” Rodman explained.

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Over/below 40

When he entered the NBA at 25, Rodman was simply one other shy child from the tasks looking for his life below the NBA solar. For years, Dennis was a significant cog on the Detroit Pistons Bad Boys however remained a fairly quiet particular person with no actual vices. His teammate John Salley even as soon as shared that he would order milk when going out, because the Worm did not get his first sip of alcohol till he was 32.

Things began to alter as soon as Rodman received traded to the San Antonio Spurs, and by the point he was a Bull, issues had been uncontrolled. From alcohol to all-night events, quite a few ladies, tattoos, loopy haircuts, piercings, media outbursts and disappearances, Dennis was all over and within the media for all of the mistaken causes.

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It received so unhealthy that the Worm as soon as noticed a wager within the Las Vegas on line casino concerning him and when he would move. It’s secure to say Rodman could not imagine it.

“I went to Vegas one time…people are betting on that you won’t make it to 40…Oh my God. That’s cool. Great. I’m here now. I’m 39,” Dennis shared.

Bad picture

That was an actual eye-opener for Rodman. Even although he shared he by no means dabbled with hardcore medicine, the ingesting drawback was actual, and he determined to tone it down for his sake.

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“God damn people, really think I’m that bad. People get this misconeption about me, they think I’m doing drugs heavily like cocaine, acid, heroin and stuff like that. I only drink alcohol…I was partying pretty hard in Vegas, and people were really concerned about me. I slowed down for a minute, got my s—t together,” he admitted.

Fast ahead to 2025, and Rodman continues to be alive and properly at 64 years previous. While he may not be the healthiest particular person, Dennis appears to be doing simply fantastic for his age and defying the percentages given to him in his 30s. It positive should be good to show so many individuals, together with MJ, mistaken.

This story was initially reported by Basketball Network on Sep 18, 2025, the place it first appeared within the Old School part. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.