Brad Culpepper Blows It Almost Instantly On Survivor, But Recovers

Brad Culpepper could use a bit of advice on how to play Survivor, it seems.

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer started the Survivor: Blood vs. Water season by saying — within the first 10 minutes — that he would find it difficult to play against his wife’s tribe at a challenge. The show had already started with a twist where the couples that came together were immediately split up, and the comment didn’t endear Brad too well to his new teammates.

Brad’s wife Monica had played last season on the Survivor: One World season, lasting only a few weeks and going out as the fifth contestant eliminated. She came back this year and was placed on the tribe of veteran players, playing against Brad and the inexperienced players.

If Brad Culpepper could have gleaned some advice from his wife, she would likely tell him not to seem so reluctant to challenge the other tribe.

Brad seemed to realize the error almost immediately too.

“I answered with my heart not my head,” he said. “Oh my God, the first five seconds of the game, way to go, Brad,” he added, them making a gesture as if he’d shot himself in the head.

But after the gaffe, Brad played a strong game. He later called his tribe together to let them know he was 100 percent behind them, and even fashioned a guy’s alliance with John, Hayden, Vytas, and Caleb.

Brad went on to perform well in the immunity challenge, which he said reminded him of being back on the gridiron.

“I was jacked up… it felt like Sunday again,” he said.

The power play paid dividends for Brad Culpepper by the end of the episode. After his tribe lost, his newfound alliance held the power and Brad convinced them to vote out Marissa as punishment for her uncle Gervase’s for his showboating.