Dennis Rodman and his father reunited after 42 years. Photo byAP

Following an exhibition game in the Philippines, Dennis Rodman, former NBA star and notorious wild man, greeted the father he has been estranged form for 42 years. The pair last met in 1969.

Philander Rodman Jr. has been trying to meet his famous son for years. His last attempt I n 2006 occurred when the younger Rodman was in Manila for a different exhibition game. This time he scored a victory.

The elder Rodman has been living in the Philippines for more than 50years and has admitted fathering 29 children by 16 women. He hoped to have time to explain to Dennis that he never abandoned him but the two only spent a few minutes together after the game.

With just seconds left in the game, Dennis Rodman took the microphone and publicly acknowledged his father, pointing him out in the stands. There was a huge sheer when 71 year old Philander stood, wearing a red baseball cap that proclaimed “Yes, Dennis Rodman is my son.”

Afterward, the two shook hands, something they had never done before and exchanged greetings as Dennis signed autographs. Philander said he felt it was the beginning of something new.

Philander passed along his phone number and Dennis promised to call. The meeting marked a momentous change in their relationship as six years earlier; Dennis would not even speak to his father. Today Dennis says he doesn’t hate the man but would call him a friend.

The elder Rodman will return to his business, the Rodman’s Rainbow Obamaburger restaurant in northern Angeles City. He can return to work a happy man.

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