‘Worm’ Apologizes - Sort Of Rodman Releases Statement Of Regret But Delivers Different Message On Air

Dennis Rodman says he’s sorry. Or, at least, the Chicago Bulls say Dennis Rodman says he’s sorry.

Rodman certainly didn’t sound the least bit repentant on his radio show Tuesday, which aired at nearly the same time the team was preparing a press release that depicted Rodman apologizing to his teammates and fans.

Some of Rodman’s teammates doubted he had even seen the words he supposedly authored.

“As long as he comes back, plays hard and stays out of trouble, it doesn’t matter to me if he apologizes or not,” guard Steve Kerr said. “He can show that he’s sorry better than he says it.”

On WMVP-AM, which pays Rodman to go on the air twice a week, the volatile forward said: “I’ve been holding back, holding back. I’m very emotional and very high-strung about certain things, but when you’ve been tested and pushed so much in every game, it’s hard to hold back.

“It’s hard for me to change. What am I doing in the game that no one else is doing? People hold me, people pin me down, people hit me, people do everything to me. I don’t get a fair shake. I don’t give a damn if I’m Dennis Rodman or Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen or Charles Barkley, you don’t just put somebody out and say, ‘Let’s make him the example.”’

Rodman, who can’t play again until April 2, went on to tell his radio audience he’s “no psycho problem child.” He said he’d like a private audience with David Stern so he could ask the NBA commissioner, “What’s the difference between me and everybody else in this league?”

His comments sounded more like the angry Rodman - who after Saturday’s head-butting incident challenged the NBA to suspend him - than the apologetic Rodman portrayed in the statement the Bulls gave to the media.

“I was wrong in making contact with any NBA official and I deserved to be punished for my actions, although I do believe they (the sanctions) are severe,” the Bulls quoted Rodman as saying.

“I realize that the NBA referees are doing their jobs and it’s my job to respect them and the rules of the game and not put my teammates in jeopardy. Chicago Bulls fans and my teammates have treated me with great warmth and acceptance and I realize I let them down. I have an obligation … to not let them down again.

“My sole aim from now until June will be to help bring the NBA championship back home to Chicago.”

Otherwise, Rodman wasn’t available for comment.

Bulls players and coaches have spent most of the season forgiving Rodman’s peccadilloes.

They’ve defended his unique personality and physical appearance, made excuses for his 23 technical fouls and expressed outrage when Rodman wasn’t selected for the NBA All-Star Game. They haven’t overreacted when he shows up late for practice.

But after Mount Rodman erupted Saturday, the Bulls are running out of patience and understanding.

“It’s not a critical time now, but it’s getting close,” Jordan said. “If it’s not out of his system now, let him get it out in the next six games.”

Rodman, whose hot temper and erratic behavior led to acrimonious exits from Detroit and San Antonio earlier in his career, was specifically suspended for head-butting referee Ted Bernhardt.