On this day in 1997, Bulls forward Dennis Rodman kicked cameraman Eugene Amos in the groin. Rodman was suspended for 11 games by the NBA.
Flashback to Dennis Rodman and his Iconic kick to a photographer: 27 years ago today
NBAFriday, 19 January 2024 at 02:00
Dennis Rodman is remembered around the league in many ways. His hustle, his rebounds, his defense or even his hair. Symbol of the Bad Boys, he also left an indelible mark on with the Chicago Bulls, especially during the height of his fame as a member of the dynasty led by Michael Jordan. But there are more memories...
Phil Jackson, the Bulls' legendary coach, largely managed to keep Rodman's off-court extravagances in check. However, there was one night, on January 17, 1997, in a matchup against the Timberwolves, where Rodman lost his temper.
With the score tied at 71, Rodman ran off the court and tripped over camera crews after fighting for a rebound with the Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett. There stood Timberwolves photographer Eugene Amos, who pointed his camera to capture a close-up of Rodman on the floor. Frustrated, Rodman kicked Amos between the legs.
Amos was doubled over in pain for several minutes before being taken away on a stretcher. The Timberwolves doctor determined it was a groin injury and he was sent to the hospital for treatment.
At the time, no technical foul was issued, but Rodman ended up paying a $200,000 settlement to Amos. In addition, the NBA suspended him for 11 games, costing him more than $1 million.
Rodman addressed the incident in an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1997. "I wasn't trying to punch the guy," he said. "I wasn't trying to kick him. I was kicking, I'm frustrated, the camera that was on the ground. When I kicked him, I kicked the camera and hit him. It's a shame we have people who the first thing they say is 'I want to sue you, I want your money' and now their ass is in jail."
This incident marked a low point in the Bulls' 1996-97 season, where they finished with a 69-13 record and won their fifth NBA title in seven years. Despite the scandal, Rodman continued to excel on the court, winning his sixth consecutive rebounding title by averaging 16.1 rebounds per game that season.
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