Dennis Rodman.

If you're from Chicago and your grandma wasn't in love with Dennis Rodman in the 90's then you're one of few. You really missed out. I don't have too many memories of my grandmother when growing up but one thing that burns brightly in my heart and mind is my memory of watching a few Bulls games with her. Watching the Bulls in the 90's was like watching an unbelievable movie that even though you knew the ending to (the trophy, the rings, Grant Park), you just couldn't turn away. During "Repeat the 3-peat" Rodman was the character that was "different" from the rest of the cast. No matter how outlandish his behavior, you could never question his will, determination, and unbelievable talent. My grandma was just another fan. She would laugh every single time Rodman checked in or grabbed an unlikely rebound. It wasn't a, "Look at this guy with the crazy hair, he's ridiculous"-type of laugh. She was fascinated by him. The way we all were.

Today I finally got the time to sit down and watch Rodman's Hall of Fame speech and years later, I'm still very much fascinated. At times, his emotions got the best of him and many people probably questioned why he chose to talk about his bad life-choices during a Hall of Fame speech, but I can't say that I'm surprised. When I remember Rodman I don't just remember the controversy, the awesome hair colors, the times he easily outplayed Shaq and Karl Malone, I remember the emotion, the passion, and his love of the game. The things that mattered most. When I watched Rodman stand on stage in his unbelievably ridiculous/awesome suit I couldn't help but appreciate the brutal honesty he spoke about himself. Most people can't even stand in front of the mirror and do it. He did it in front of thousands of people.



Rodman never seemed too concerned about the light people saw him in, he was too busy being the light for people like my grandma and me and the rest of the amazed Chicagoans who couldn't turn away. No matter how cheesy that is, it's true and honest. Exactly the way "The Worm" seems to like it...