“I’m surprised I’m still here because a lot of people thought I would be dead at 40, 45, 50, 55,” Dennis Rodman said recently. “I turned 60, and I’m like, wow, I’m still here.” Honestly? Same, Dennis! And judging by what fans were joking about just last month, some didn’t think he’d make it to 64 either. At this point, he doesn’t even have to do anything wild to shock people—just being around still does the trick. He’s lived more lives than most of us can imagine, both on the court and far beyond it. And while he’s at peace with his past, the internet… had its own bizarre way of showing affection.
Thankfully, fans had nothing to actually worry about. ‘The Worm’ himself popped up on Instagram, assuring his loyal fans that he was “alive and well,” along with a photo of himself giving a double thumbs up. Needless to say, everyone let out a sigh of relief. And if that’s not enough, Rodman is back again with yet another proof.
For his 64th birthday, the Pistons legend posted, “Another Year to be Alive and Well Happy Birthday to Me.” Classic Rodman—still here, still sarcastic, and still having fun with it a month later. Instead of a traditional birthday cake, he celebrated with a pile of ice cream, cupcakes, and cones topped with candles. Leave it to Dennis to turn even a fake death, weeks later, into a full-on dessert moment.
Fans were not amused when fake news of Rodman’s death started spreading on April Fools’ Day. The bizarre hoax claimed he died from an “autoerotic asphyxiation accident,” and it circulated fast across X, Facebook, and Instagram—complete with AI-generated images and fake memorial graphics. Some fans panicked, some got emotional, and many were just annoyed. “I was just about to put my bereavement days in. I love you,” one person commented. Another wrote, “Glad you good my guy, ppl play to damn much with this internet nonsense!!” One summed it up perfectly: “I’m so sick of people playing on other people’s demise!!!”
And as mentioned above, he let the world know he was good. And honestly? That calm flex may have been the best way to shut the whole thing down. But there was a time when ‘The Worm’ was ready to walk away—for good.
Dennis Rodman: From rock bottom to taking control
Rodman’s life on and off the court has been as turbulent as it was colorful. One of the darkest moments came in the early ’90s when Rodman attempted s——, a cry for help born out of years of abandonment. Reflecting on that time, he said, “I wasn’t trying to get attention. I needed help at the time. I didn’t want to go on. I thought that I was abandoned.” His childhood, with a distant father and a mother who was constantly working, left him without the emotional support he needed, even though his NBA career gave him fame and recognition.
As Rodman’s career came to an end, his personal struggles intensified. He admitted using alcohol as a coping mechanism and informed FHE Health that there were even sports clubs in Vegas where people could bet on his chances of dying from alcohol. His addiction even led him to several legal disputes and strained relationships, especially with his children. He, however, has made effective efforts to reclaim authority over his life despite the setbacks.
Rodman acknowledged the mental health issues that athletes, especially those in the spotlight, frequently endure by saying, “I was one of the few players back then who were opening the door to that, that an NBA player is a human too.” Despite the chaos, Dennis never gave up on himself.
“It’s up to me if I want to do it for the rest of my life,” he said about his battle with addiction. Rodman has entered rehab multiple times, trying to regain control of his life. After years of struggle, he now speaks with a sense of pride in his recovery, saying, “It’s a long process and it’s going to take time to get over the hump…I got my life in control right now. Everything is going in the right direction.” He’s also working to rebuild relationships, particularly with his children, acknowledging the damage he caused by being emotionally unavailable.
Rodman has turned survival into a form of defiance for someone the world never saw grow old. He continues to live, laugh, and somehow recover despite the mayhem, loss, and even phony death headlines.
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