TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager has had an undeniable impact in the game of basketball, but his influence has reached a far greater spectrum—including saving Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman from taking his own life.
The long-time court side staple detailed a traumatic incident in 1993 involving the five-time NBA champion, during an extensive interview with Sports Illustrated on Wednesday.
The 64-year-old broadcaster recalled that the volatile forward was playing for the Detroit Pistons at the time, and was nowhere to be found for several practices.
Feeling that he needed help, Sager proceeded to embark on a mission to locate Rodman, who he found inside a Detroit strip club, called the “The Landing Strip.”
“He had the gun. He was going to do it. I told him how stupid that would be,” said Sager, per SI’s Lee Jenkins.
The 2-time NBA defensive player of the year winner was reportedly dealing with the aftermath of his failed marriage to Annie Bakes during the time of the incident.
Meanwhile, Rodman, who’s now 54 years old, confirmed his suicidal tendencies back in 1996 in his autobiography, entitled, ‘Bad as I Wanna Be’.
However, it appears the statement from the book is from a separate time than the one Sager described.
Despite previous difficulties, things eventually got better for the player known as “The Worm” whose trademark hustle under the boards helped the Chicago Bulls win three straight titles upon his arrival in the 1995 season.
Sager, on the other hand, continues to fight for his life after announcing that his leukemia is no longer in remission last month. Khristian Ibarrola
RELATED STORY
TNT’s Craig Sager says leukemia no longer in remission