As SportsJam with Doug Doyle continues to celebrate Women's History Month, Washington Spirit forward is making history of her own. The NWSL's Rookie of the Year is already giving back.
Rodman joined SportsJam to talk about her blossoming soccer career, her competitive family and her new partnership with Youth Athletes United.
As Youth Athletes United's new Brand Ambassador, Trinity is looking to grow the fame of soccer and youth sports across the country. Youth Athletes United, one of America's fastest-growing multi-sport programs, with 291 territories nationwide and more than 200,000 children instructed each year, continues to catch on in communities throughout the U.S.
"So I'm going to working with Amazing Athletes and Soccer Superstars. I think this is an amazing opportunity and I'm so blessed I get this opportunity. Being able to get kids the opportunity to connect with sports and connect with different types of people, I think is great to start off what sport they want to play. You get to learn what joy you get from being an athlete. It's kind of like a guide for what you want to do in the future."
While only 19, Rodman still considers herself a role model and says her age enables her to understand what kids are going through today.
"As much as they go through their new environments and being uncomfortable starting sports and being in a competitive environment, I'm also going through the same things. I get to connect with them in that aspect because being a rookie last year, I did go through being the new girl and being in my first National Team camp. Being able to be that mentor and also somebody they can talk to and kind of relate to will be awesome for me as well."
Rodman will be doing live and dedicated social media, video content, local franchise clinics and personal appearances.
The Washington Spirit won their first NWSL championship in 2021. The Rookie of the Year made a huge impact on the team. Trinity was rewarded with a four-year deal with Washington, reportedly the biggest contract in NWSL history.
In January of this year, Rodman was selected for the annual United States women's national team camp for the first time as the team prepared for the She Believes Cup.] She made her debut on February 17, 2022 in a 0–0 draw with Czech Republic in the tournament.
Even though her older brother DJ, who plays for the Washington State Cougars men's basketball team and her father, Dennis is a NBA Hall of Famer and one of the greatest rebounders and defenders in league history, Trinity chose the sport of soccer despite both of them hoping she would hit the hardwood too.
"They definitely did. My brother really wanted me to play basketball with him. I tried but it wasn't for me. I loved the competitiveness. I loved stealing the ball, I loved shooting. I loved scoring. It just didn't feel as comfortable as soccer. I just always felt that passion for soccer. I always found myself on a field, not a basketball court. So I tried many sports but soccer was kind of the one that stuck."
She credits her mother for the strong bond she has with her brother.
"Me and my brother are liked best friends. We are just a year apart. My mom has really instilled us being close. Growing up we always went to the same schools. We would make my mom request the same teachers so we would have the exact same years back to back. He's learned from me. I've learned from him."
So has there been pressure being the daughter of one of an NBA champion who has been a public figure even since his retirement?
"He's definitely a big name. Having a dad that was so great at a sport, always in the spotlight, I don't know, pushed me harder. I wanted to (laughing) wanted to say one-up him, that's not like he's a huge name. I think I always wanted to push myself to create my own name. I wanted to build that new role for myself, just being a female, playing soccer, being young, there are so many aspects that I wanted to put into my lifestyle. Obviously, him coming to see my games and seeing the level I play at and seeing how far I've come is awesome. I know he's proud."
You can SEE the entire SportsJam interview with Trinity Rodman here.
