I stumbled upon ESPN’s Outside the Lines on Sunday. If you’ve never watched this show, I would encourage you to do so even if you aren’t a sports fan. The show features behind-the-scene glances into the lives of athletes.

One episode highlighted NBA player Dennis Rodman’s life.

Rodman was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year. During his acceptance speech, he tearfully admitted that he had one regret: “I wish I was a better father.”

He apologized to his wife and children for burning both ends of the candle for too many years. He was surprised to still be alive after years of destructive behavior.

After being traded from the Detroit Pistons to the San Antonio Spurs early in his career, Rodman was rebranded “The Worm” and the once painfully introverted young man transformed himself into a pop culture icon.

He gained popularity as an NBA bad boy through piercings, tattoos, partying, drugs, fighting and reckless relationships.

If you have nine minutes to spare, watch Rodman tell his story of self-destruction. We idolize athletes and celebrities for their ability to remain in the spotlight, but are reminded through stories like his that we are all human and make mistakes.

Rodman’s agent says that the basketball player began drinking heavily in 1995 when his “character became bigger than life and he didn’t know how to cope with the pandemonium.”

Regret permeates every level of society no matter if you have $1 or $1 million in your wallet. An addict is a lonely person, whether sitting in a room by themselves or surrounding by a multitude of enablers.

As a society, we tend to point fingers and ridicule when people are at their lowest point. I pray that Rodman and countless others who have stories like his will find the strength and determination to turn their lives around for the sake of their families and themselves.

Heidi Woodard is married with three children. Read her Thursdays on momaha.com