John Rocker, the controversial former pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, will be competing in the upcoming season of Survivor alongside girlfriend Julie McGee.

John Rocker To Compete On Survivor

Survivor: San Juan del Sur – Blood vs. Water will welcome 18 contestants competing as pairs. Rocker, who pitched in the 1999 World Series against the Yankees, might have an awkward run on Survivor. He may be known for playing in the Major Leagues, but Rocker is also famous for an interview he gave in 1999, in which he repeatedly called gay people “f—-ts” and made racist comments, among other unsavory remarks.

“I would retire first [before playing for a New York team]. It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you’re [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing,” Rocker said in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

When asked whether he was worried his fellow Survivor contestants would recognize him and remember his comments, Rocker brushed it off, saying, “Not really. I see these folks that I’m getting ready to play this game with as very similar to the 13 years of professional baseball that I played and the teammates that I played with. Some of my biggest supporters after that SI debacle were my current and past teammates.”

The contestants on Survivor’s 29th season, as always, come from many different backgrounds and all have their own skills and flaws. Perhaps ironically, Rocker told CBS that he thinks he will “survive” Survivor because he has “the ability to read people and morph my personality in a way that lets me mesh with people from all walks of life.”

Rocker and McGee will go head to head against 8 other pairs, including Amazing Race alums, and twin sisters, Nadiya and Natalie Anderson, boyfriends Reed Kelley and Josh Canfield, who both perform on Broadway and a father-son pair of firefighters, Keith and Wes Nale.

Full List of Contestants:

Father-Daughter Pair: Dale Wentworth (55) and Kelley Wentworth (28)
Brothers: Drew Christy (25) and Alec Christy (22)
Married Couple: Val Collins (35) and Jeremy Collins (36)
Couple: John Rocker (39) and Julie McGee (34)
College Sweethearts: Jaclyn Schultz (25) and Jon Misch (26)
“Christian Gay” Couple: Josh Canfield (32) and Reed Kelly (31)
Mother-daughter pair: Baylor Wilson (20) and Missy Payne (47)
Twins: Nadiya Anderson (28) and Natalie Anderson (28)
Father-Son Pair: Wes Nale (23) and Keith Nale (53)

Survivor: San Juan Del Sur – Blood vs. Water will premiere Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.