NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman finally meets his father after 42 years
In this photo taken on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, former NBA star Dennis Rodman, left, shakes hands with his estranged father Philander Rodman Jr. after an exhibition game in Manila, Philippines. / AP Photo
(AP) MANILA, Philippines - Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has finally met his estranged father after 42 years of separation, following an exhibition game in the Philippines.
Philander Rodman Jr., who has acknowledged fathering 29 children by 16 mothers, says he was happy and surprised that his son agreed to meet him late Wednesday. He tried to meet the basketball Hall of Famer during another game in Manila in 2006.
"It was great," he said Thursday of the first time he held his son's hands since they last met in December 1969.
"I've been trying to meet him for years. And then last night, boom, I met him. I was really, really happy and very surprised," he told The Associated Press.
The NBA "Alumni" team, which also included Scott Pippen, Horace Grant, and Mitch Richmond, played against former top professional Philippine Basketball Association players in the All-Star Challenge. The Alumni won.
Philander, who has been living in the Philippines for nearly 50 years, said he wanted to explain to his son that he didn't abandon his family in the United States, but they only had time for greetings and handshakes.
He said he spent only about three minutes with his son, who was also busy signing autographs.
"I really, really felt good," he said. "It's the beginning of something new."
He gave his number to his son who promised to call.
He said his son did not even want to talk about him six years ago, but he was encouraged to try again to meet him after Tuesday's press conference where the former Pistons and Bulls star invited him to watch Wednesday's game.
"I don't hate the guy that brought me into this world," Dennis Rodman told reporters. "The fact is, if I saw him, I'll just tell him, 'You know, you're a friend of mine.'"
During a break, with seconds left to the end of the game, Dennis Rodman grabbed a microphone, acknowledged his father's presence and pointed to him in the arena.
The crowd applauded as the elder Rodman stood up wearing a red baseball cap that said "Yes, Dennis Rodman is my son."
The 71-year-old Vietnam War veteran now operates the Rodman's Rainbow Obamaburger restaurant in northern Angeles City.
He said his restaurant menu includes burgers with red, yellow and green colored buns and fries, colors associated with his flamboyant son.
Popular in Sports
- Ex- NFL player with ALS responds after radio hosts fired for mocking him
- Heat avoid elimination, beat Spurs in overtime, 103-100
- Manu Ginobili pushes Spurs to edge of championship
- Danny Green claims NBA Finals 3-pointer record, MVP next?
- Armstrong tweets pic with Tour de France jerseys
- Putin denies stealing Patriots Super Bowl ring
- 11-year-old mariachi gets ovation from NBA crowd
- Home of Nuggets' Andersen searched, items seized
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/government/irony-gop-call-blasting-obama-for-unemployment-hosted-in-philippines/11257
Best two of three?
Ok, who wont he piercing contest?
Do we have a winner yet?
Ok, who had the most children outside of marriage?
Dennis shames his mother by meeting with him.
The man is a low life.
-------------------------------------
I am without words. What a guy. Dennis is probably just like him. Oh well, at least now he know who he daddy be. What a world; pure human waste.
...I can't think of a more appropriate name for a man who fathered 29 children by 16 different mothers.
No wonder Dennis turned out so screwed up.