Dennis Rodman has shut down a viral April Fools’ Day death hoax with a social media post affirming he is “alive and well,” after false reports of his demise circulated widely online.
On April 1, parody accounts on platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook spread claims that the 63-year-old former NBA star had died of an “autoerotic asphyxiation accident.”
One of the posts, shared by a meme account that uses artificial intelligence-generated images, featured a black-and-white photo of Rodman alongside fake birth and death dates, purporting he had been found deceased in his apartment.
“I swear I was just coming to check,” one fan wrote on social media. Another added: “Definitely came straight here.” A third said: “As I got older I realized Dennis Rodman was that dude for real.”
Rodman responded to the hoax later in the day with a photo posted on Instagram and Facebook, showing him in a red Chicago Bulls hat, sunglasses, and a black zip-up hoodie, giving two thumbs up to the camera. “Yesss Sirr Alive and Well What’s up,” Rodman wrote in the caption.
Dennis Rodman addressed false death rumors following April Fools’ Day hoax, confirming he is alive and well in a social media statement. Dennis Rodman addressed false death rumors following April Fools’ Day hoax, confirming he is alive and well in a social media statement. MediaPunch/mpi04
The hoax quickly became a trending topic, spiking search engine queries like “Dennis Rodman dead” and “Is Dennis Rodman alive?” Fans flooded the comments of Rodman’s social media post with relief and frustration. “I’m so sick of people playing on other peoples demise!!! Glad you’re alive & well,” one person commented.
Another wrote: “I was just about to put my bereavement days in. I love you.” A third added: “You are one of the greatest basketball players I really enjoyed watching! Welcome back to social media!” One fan summed up the sentiment: “Glad you good my guy, ppl play to damn much with this internet nonsense!!”
NBA fans and commentators were quick to defend Rodman, who is known as much for his rebounding prowess and on-court antics as for his off-court persona. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, Rodman was a central figure in the Chicago Bulls’ dominance during the 1990s.
He played for several NBA teams throughout his career, including the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks, and wrapped up his basketball career overseas in 2006 with the Brighton Bears.
Despite his athletic legacy, Rodman has faced public scrutiny over personal issues, including strained family relationships. His daughter Trinity Rodman, a professional soccer player for the U.S. National Team, discussed their fractured dynamic in a December episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast.
“We never want to make him look bad and that is at the cost of holding in a lot,” she said. “I guess it’s just the anger that I haven’t been able to let out is like difficult for me.”
She added: “I answer the phone [when he calls] now for my conscience to be like, he needed to hear my voice before anything happens. Like that’s why I answer the phone, not for me… He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else.”
Rodman later issued a public apology to Trinity via Instagram, acknowledging their troubled past. “Sorry I wasn’t the Dad you wanted me to be but either way I still tried and I still try and never will stop,” he wrote. “I will keep trying even when you’re being told as an adult not to respond to my phone calls. I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time. I’m always here And tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me. Hopefully one day I can get that. I’m here and I’m still trying pick up the phone you have my number, You see me calling, I’m still here Dennis RODMAN- Dad.”
