When he first joined the “Survivor” family on 2009’s “Survivor: Tocantins,” Benjamin “Coach” Wade had no intention of leaving his day job(s) behind to become a full-fledged reality TV star.
While Coach – also known by his self-appointed nickname, “The Dragon Slayer” — later returned to the franchise for follow-up appearances on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” “Survivor: South Pacific” and, most recently, “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans,” he’s one of the few bona fide series legends who has yet to participate on a rival reality competition series.
That being said, after his fourth attempt to win the title of “Sole Survivor” went up in smoke during this week’s (Apr. 15) double-elimination, Coach revealed that there is one game show that he’d love to join if the offer ever came his way – “The Traitors.”
Is the ‘Dragon Slayer’ the Next ‘King of the Faithfuls’?
Since Peacock’s “The Traitors” debuted in 2021, a number of former “Survivor” castaways have joined the cast of the Alan Cumming-hosted murder-mystery reality competition series.
Amongst their ranks are some of Coach Wade’s “Survivor 50” castmates, including Cirie Fields – who won the very first season of the show – as well as Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick. Other notable additions include former castaways like Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano, Parvati Shallow, Sandra Diaz-Twine, Carolyn Wiger, Jeremy Collins, Tony Vlachos, Rob Cesternino, Natalie Anderson and Yam Yam Arocho.
While many of them have been selected as the eponymous “Traitors” on previous installments, Coach’s “honor and integrity” M.O. is probably better suited to the camp of “Faithfuls,” who are tasked with rooting out the “murderous” imposters hidden amongst their ranks.
“I would go on ‘Traitors,’ I think,” Wade told TVInsider in an April 17 interview following his “Survivor 50” elimination. “I’d have to cross that bridge when I come to it.”
At present, however, it seems like Peacock has yet to extend an invitation.
That being said, Wade did reveal that he’s “turned down a lot of shows” in an attempt to remain “faithful” to his original franchise.
Will Coach Ever Play ‘Survivor’ Again?
CBSAt 54 years old, however, Wade’s time on “Survivor” seems to have come to its natural conclusion following his time on Season 50.
“I looked at myself on the episode last night, and I said to my family, ‘That guy looks 65!,” he said. “I mean, it’s a hell of a lot harder at 54 than it was at 37 or 38, like I did the first time.”
While Coach refused to give a definitive answer as to whether he’s “retiring” from the franchise, he added, “I think this is my last time.”
He joins a list of so-called “old-school” players who’ve announced that Season 50 will act as their “Survivor” swan song, including the likes of Cirie Fields and Colby Donaldson.
Regardless of whether he ever plays again, Coach said that he “loved” getting the chance to play the game again.
“It was destiny. It was destiny for me to say yes, destiny for me to go out like I did. And I had a great time. It was joyous. It was real. I made mistakes. I own those mistakes, and it was just a great time,” he explained. “I’m so glad I went back.”
Be sure to catch new episodes of “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” every Wednesday night at 8:00pm ET on CBS.
