‘Survivor’ veteran Rick Devens of Macon returns for Season 50

Rick Devens was possibly one spark away from a million dollars. After 38 days of running around the jungle of Fiji on the CBS reality TV show “Survivor,” Devens found himself scratching flint with a machete, trying to create fire faster than his opponent.

He built up a small flame, but it was too little too late. That season’s eventual winner, Chris Underwood, already had a roaring blaze that burned through a rope, as the competition’s rules required, and dashed Devens’ dreams along with it. Gone was his chance to sit among the final three contestants, from whom a jury of his “Survivor” peers would choose season 38’s “sole survivor.”

While that crushing defeat may deter most people, Devens is all smiles about making his second appearance on the reality TV show’s 50th season, which features a cast of 24 returning players and premieres Wednesday.

When he last appeared on “Survivor,” Devens worked as a WGXA TV anchor. Now, he’s director of communications at Middle Georgia State University. In the seven years since the airing of his “Survivor” season, dubbed “Edge of Extinction,” he’s watched his kids grow up, but the show has remained one of the great joys in his life.

He immersed himself in the “Survivor” community, co-hosting a CBS podcast with Jeff Probst, the show’s host and producer.

He’s been able to catapult his notoriety into local fundraisers, like with the Houston County Sharks and the All About Animals shelter. Macon-Bibb County declared May 21 Rick Devens Day after the finale aired.

Devens, most known on the show for his passion and energy, promises the same hijinks and unpredictability that won the hearts of so many fans the first time he played.
“That was kind of a strategy going into it. I want to be kind of a wildcard,” he said. 

In his first run at the $1 million prize, a twist in the game allowed two eliminated players — forced to endure even harsher conditions on a barren island (hence, “the Edge of Extinction”) — to earn their way back into the competition by winning a challenge.

Devens found himself on that island after being the fourth person voted out, but he won his way back halfway into the 39-day game.

Devens returned to the competition with new life and a big target on his back, but he found ways to scramble and stay in the game. He won four individual “immunity challenges” and found several “hidden immunity idols,” which gave him safety from being voted out of the game. Other contestants wanted him gone because he was such a favorite to win. 

“One thing about me is like, the more you want to make me feel ostracized, the more I want you to not think that it’s working,” he said. 

Although he was on the outs when he was in the game, Devens became a beloved contestant outside of it. The singer-songwriter Sia gave him $100,000 for being her favorite player on the season.

He said many young people have come up to him and said they felt inspired, noting his “dad bod” and positivity.

Ron Clark, an Atlanta educator who appeared on Season 38 alongside Devens, described Devens as the “idol-hunting king.”

Although the two clashed in game, he said he’s excited to see Devens play again. However, Clark will be rooting for returning player Aubry Bracco.

“It’s fun when you watch … somebody you know — and you’ve spent time with, and you care about  — actually play the game,” Clark said.

During Devens’ first time around on “Survivor,” after wrapping production, he returned to his life as a news anchor in Macon.

He came up with a lie about hiking the Appalachian Trail to keep his time on the show under wraps. His 31-pound weight loss had people speculating he was sick.

“You get back from ‘Survivor,’ and that’s all on your mind,” he said. “Even seven years later, I was spending most of my time thinking about ‘Survivor,’ and it’s all you want to talk to anybody about.”

The bittersweet ending didn’t discourage him. Devens said he knew he wanted to return as soon as he stepped off the island. 

He hoped he might get the call to play the game again. 

But, when the concept of season 50 was announced, with returning players competing again, he was told he might not be on the cast.

The decision left him “devastated.” He started to question whether he’d be able to live up to his first performance, he said.

Then, he decided to stop putting pressure on himself, to just have fun if he became one of the contestants. He was delighted when he was cast again on the show, which was filmed last summer.

A lot has changed in the game since Devens first landed on a Fijian beach. The new era of “Survivor” has done away with the shifting locations and themes that defined earlier seasons.

There are new advantages and twists. The season’s duration has also been compressed — from 39 days to 26.

“Watching just how quickly everything happens was kind of what I was trying to wrap my head around,” he said.

Devens also hoped to utilize his “underrated social game,” since in his first appearance he was never really able to find his footing within a solid alliance, he said.

He said he recognizes he’s not the best long-term planner — more of an on-the-fly thinker — and looked to work with someone who could go into the “deep strategy” of the show.

To prepare for the season he worked on his balance, went on hikes with his kids and thought about what he’d do with certain advantages in the game.

Devens faced stiff competition this season. And, of course, he won’t give any hints about how successful he was this time around. But, it’s probably a safe bet that he’s been working on his fire-making skills. 

The season premieres at 8 p.m. Wednesday.