Retired NBA baller Dennis Rodman has reportedly checked into an alcohol rehab center according to his agent Dennis Prince. Ever since the NBA legend’s controversial trip to North Korea and press meltdown, Rodman has been under intense scrutiny.
“Dennis Rodman came back from North Korea in pretty rough shape emotionally. The pressure that was put on him to be a combination ‘super human’ political figure and ‘fixer’ got the better of him…. He is embarrassed, saddened and remorseful for the anger and hurt his words have caused,” stated Prince.
Images of Rodman singing a horrible rendition of “Happy Birthday” to North Korean president Kim Jung Un were seen across the world. North Korea is one of the most repressive dictatorships in the world; the nation is currently holding American citizen Kenneth Bae captive. The arrest and imprisonment of Bae was a subject Rodman tried to avoid talking about during his basketball “goodwill” mission, but became his downfall during a press interview. Rodman, reportedly drunk with a cigar in his hand, held a press conference where he cursed, yelled and blamed Bae for his own arrest. Rodman has since apologized to the Bae family for his outburst.
Rodman has a long history of substance abuse and odd behavior since his days as a Detroit Piston and Chicago Bull. After a drunk driving arrest and assault on his fiancée in 2008, Rodman entered an outpatient rehab center. Then in 2009 he appeared on the TV show “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” and in 2012 declared that he was broke and unable to work due to his alcoholism. However, in November 2013, Rodman announced the release of a line of premium vodka baring his name ‘Dennis Rodman —The original Bad Ass Premium Vodka.’ This announcement stirred controversy because of Rodman’s addiction. His former financial adviser Peggy Williams was quoted as saying, “In all honesty, Dennis, although a very sweet person is an alcoholic … His sickness impacts his ability to get work.”
