Former NBA star Dennis Rodman apologized Thursday for his much-criticized outburst about an American citizen imprisoned in North Korea, saying he was stressed out and had been drinking when he made the remarks on CNN. The family of that imprisoned American, Kenneth Bae, said Thursday that they accepted Rodman's apology for his "outrageous" remarks but said they hope his comments "have not further endangered" Bae. The eccentric basketball veteran is in North Korea for a controversial visit that has been rife with bizarre moments, including Rodman's rendition of "Happy Birthday" to the country's leader Kim Jong Un at a packed sports stadium on Wednesday.
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Family accepts Rodman apology for "outrageous" remarks
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"I embarrassed a lot of people," Rodman says in a statement released by his publicist
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Rodman had made a bizarre outburst about an American detained in North Korea
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"I had been drinking," he says, admitting that it's not an excuse
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He clearly doesn't know anything about @placeholder, about his case.
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Rodman befriended Kim, an avid basketball fan who inherited power from his father, during his first @placeholder visit last year and has described the young dictator as a "very good guy."
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The two unlikely comrades appeared to be getting along famously at the basketball exhibition game Wednesday for @placeholder's birthday.
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Rodman's squad and a @placeholder team played two games, Cokerell said.
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The U.S. government has repeatedly called on @placeholder to grant Bae amnesty and release him.