Yes, Dennis Rodman.
The NBA bad-boy of the 90’s, tattoos, colored hair, bad style and all has “wormed” his way into quite possibly the strictest country of all: North Korea.
Rodman (aka “the worm”) made his way to North Korea this week to serve as a diplomatic figure between the troubled country and the United States. North Korea’s current leader, Kim Jong Un — who Rodman frequently mentions in his tweets — is said to have been a big fan of the 1990’s Chicago Bulls, for which Rodman played.
From the Associated Press:
Rodman is joining three members of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team and a VICE correspondent for a news show on North Korea that will air on HBO later this year, VICE producers told the Associated Press in an exclusive interview Tuesday before they landed.
The goal for Rodman’s journey is to engage in a little “basketball diplomacy” by running a basketball camp for children and playing with North Korea’s top basketball stars. While his appearance and over-the-top style may not scream diplomacy, Rodman’s reputation as a five-time NBA champion and member of the basketball Hall of Fame speak for itself.
It appears he is up for the challenge.
“It’s my first time, I think it’s most of these guys’ first time here, so hopefully everything’s going to be OK , and hoping the kids have a good time for the game,” Rodman told reporters after arriving in Pyongyang.
According to Rodman’s twitter, though, he is the one that seems to be having a good time.
#WORMinNorthKorea
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Ben Baroff is a sports journalist and marketing professional who blogs and writes columns for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.