"I am above all that" - Dennis Rodman once explained the difference between him and professional athletes

There’s no disputing that Dennis Rodman lacked the discipline expected of every professional athlete—willingly missing team practice or partying his heart out mid-season. However, when ‘The Worm’ stepped on the court, he was one of the most impactful players.

A testament to this could be sensed by considering that despite being 6’7”, the two-time All-Star managed to lead the league in rebounds for seven consecutive seasons in an era where 7-foot centers and muscular forwards never hesitated to get violent under the rim.

The New Jersey native constantly threw himself on the court to get possession of the ball and was undoubtedly the most underrated athlete of his time. However, in his own view, Rodman recognized a distinct difference between him and a professional athlete.

The Worm never considers himself a pro athlete?

Athletes across all levels - from collegiate to pro, are expected to serve as role models. In particular, those who rise from rags to riches are expected to portray and guide the younger generation in a better way. However, two-time DPOY deliberately distanced himself from this notion.

In an interview with Playboy in 1997, Rodman claimed that he never considered himself an athlete, describing them as ‘boring.’ Moreover, he further emphasized that, psychologically, he did not share the mindset of professional athletes who structured their lives around their sport.

"The difference between me and athletes is, they want to be athletes. They even want to be coaches when their careers are over, " ‘Dennis The Menace’ said , as quoted by SportsCasting. " I am above all that. "

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Rodman was a controversial star

Players such as Larry Bird prioritized their basketball career over leveraging their fame for social change, and such athletes still capitalized on sponsorship opportunities. Rodman, on the other hand, despite his knack for easily attracting media attention, showed little interest in sponsorships or endorsement deals, even at the peak of his career.

Instead, he established himself as a trendsetter through controversial actions. Be it developing an unlikely close relationship with North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong-un, headbutting a referee to showcase his dissatisfaction, kicking an innocent cameraman in his nuts, or marrying himself, Dennis mostly attracted media attention for all the negative reasons.

Unlike some players who tend to still engage in the sport they were associated with even after retirement by dawning into the role of an executive, analyst, or owner, Rodman was clear on how he wanted to enjoy his wealth in his own way once his playing days were over.

Safe to say, the five-time NBA Champ lived his days of popularity according to his principles. At least, he never shied away from acknowledging how his antics were not suitable for emulation, which probably led him to downplay his impact as a potential role model.

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