Rick Devens is once again one of the biggest names in reality television. The former Survivor contestant has been attracting renewed attention because of his appearance on Big Brother 28
What started as another chance for a well-known reality competition player to prove himself became one of the biggest comeback stories of his career.
Rick Devens entered Big Brother 28 with a reputation that was already established. Survivor fans knew him as an aggressive player who was never afraid to take risks.
He was also voted America’s Favorite Houseguest and received another $50,000.
An additional $10,000 from the season’s Pharaoh’s Curse twist pushed his total winnings to $810,000.
That result explains why searches for Rick Devens have increased around the latest Big Brother results.
Many viewers who remember him from Survivor are now searching to understand who he is, how he became famous and how he managed to win another major reality competition.
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Table of Contents
Who Is Rick Devens?
Rick Devens is an American television personality, former news anchor and reality competition contestant.1
He first became widely known through CBS’s Survivor franchise. He was born on April 5, 1984.
His career before reality television was connected to news broadcasting. When he appeared on Survivor: Edge of Extinction in 2019, CBS introduced him as a 33-year-old morning news anchor from Macon, Georgia.
His first Survivor appearance quickly became memorable. Devens was initially voted out of the game.
However, Survivor: Edge of Extinction featured a major twist that allowed eliminated players to remain in contention for a chance to return. Devens took advantage of that opportunity and returned to the main game.
Once he returned, his game changed dramatically. He became one of the most visible players of the season.
He found advantages, won important challenges and frequently became involved in major strategic moves. His energetic personality also made him one of the season’s most recognizable players.
Devens eventually reached the Final Four. He was eliminated shortly before the final Tribal Council.
His exit was especially memorable because he had become such a major threat that other players knew they could not allow him to reach the end.
Although he did not win Survivor, his performance made him a fan favorite. That reputation eventually followed him to other reality television opportunities.
Jack designed the ‘Banana’ Sprite for Fortnite. #DesignASprite https://t.co/NfPpN22y7H
— Rick Devens (@Rick_Devens) June 20, 2026
Rick Devens and Survivor 50
Devens returned to the Survivor universe again in 2026 for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. His return was highly anticipated because fans remembered his dramatic run on Edge of Extinction.
According to a 2026 interview with Parade, Devens was originally an alternate for the milestone season before ultimately getting the opportunity to compete.
He described the experience as a second chance after waiting years to return to the franchise. His Survivor history therefore played a major role in his Big Brother casting.
He was not an unknown reality contestant walking into the house. He already had a recognizable name, a fan base and a reputation for aggressive gameplay.
Those qualities became important throughout Big Brother 28.
Stats Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rick Devens |
| Date of birth | April 5, 1984 |
| Age in 2026 | 42 |
| Profession | Television personality and communications professional |
| Known for | Survivor and Big Brother |
| First major reality show | Survivor: Edge of Extinction |
| Survivor season | Season 38 |
| Survivor finish | Final Four |
| Survivor return | Survivor 50 |
| Big Brother season | Season 28 |
| Big Brother finish | Winner |
| Big Brother runner-up | Taylor Brown |
| Final jury vote | 6-1 |
| Big Brother grand prize | $750,000 |
| America’s Favorite Houseguest | Yes |
| America’s Favorite Houseguest prize | $50,000 |
| Additional game winnings | $10,000 |
| Total reported Big Brother winnings | $810,000 |
| Current professional background | Communications and media |
Why Is Rick Devens Trending Now?
The simple answer is Big Brother 28. Rick Devens was part of the final three alongside Taylor Brown and Drew Campbell.2
The season finale determined whether his reputation as a reality competition veteran would finally translate into a championship. It did.
Devens won the final three-part Head of Household competition. That victory gave him control over the final elimination.
He ultimately chose Taylor Brown to sit beside him in the final two after deciding that eliminating Drew Campbell gave him the stronger chance of winning the jury vote.
It was one of the most difficult decisions of his season. Drew and Devens had developed a close relationship inside the house.
Devens even described Drew as his “son” within the game. That made the decision to cut him especially emotional.
However, the move worked. Devens faced Taylor Brown in the final two and convinced enough jurors that his overall game deserved the victory.
The final vote was 6-1 in his favor. The result also gave him something he had missed during his previous Survivor appearances: a reality competition championship.
How Did Rick Devens Win Big Brother 28?
Devens’ victory was not based on one lucky competition. His success came from a combination of strategy, relationships and competition performances.
One of his biggest strengths was his ability to remain relevant without completely losing control of his social connections.
Because he entered the season with a reputation, he was always going to be watched closely. That created both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Other players knew he was dangerous. His Survivor history meant that people understood he could make big moves.
At the same time, being a known threat made him an obvious target. Devens survived several difficult moments.
According to Parade, he managed to secure safety through a combination of Head of Household wins, Veto wins, Block Buster victories and other forms of protection during a crucial part of the season.
His ability to stay alive when he was vulnerable became one of the defining features of his game. The final Head of Household win was especially important.
Once Devens won that competition, he had the opportunity to choose who would sit beside him at the end. He decided that Taylor was the better opponent than Drew.
It was a risky move because Drew had been one of his closest allies. But Devens trusted his read of the jury. That decision ultimately paid off.
Rick Devens’ Survivor Legacy
Before Big Brother, Rick Devens was already considered one of the most memorable players in modern Survivor. His Edge of Extinction season gave him a storyline that felt almost impossible.
He was voted out. He returned. He became a major strategic force. He found advantages. He won challenges. He survived repeated attempts to eliminate him.
His aggressive approach also made him entertaining. Devens was not the type of player who wanted to quietly reach the end.
He frequently put himself in the center of the action. That made him a threat but also helped him build a strong television presence.
CBS’s original cast announcement for Edge of Extinction listed him as a morning news anchor from Macon, Georgia. His background in news also helped explain his comfort in front of cameras.
Devens had experience communicating quickly and confidently. Those skills translated naturally to reality television.
His Survivor career ended without a championship. However, his popularity continued. That made his eventual Big Brother victory even more meaningful.
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Rick Devens’ Big Brother 28 Victory
Winning Big Brother after already becoming a recognizable Survivor player gave Devens a rare position in reality television. He became a crossover champion.3
The finale was especially dramatic because Devens had to make a major strategic decision at the very end. He chose Taylor over Drew and then faced the jury.
The jury rewarded him with six votes out of seven. The victory earned him $750,000.
He also won America’s Favorite Houseguest with nearly 30 percent of the fan vote according to Parade. That added another $50,000.
His additional $10,000 from the Pharaoh’s Curse brought the reported total to $810,000. The financial result was impressive but the symbolic victory may be even more important.
For years, Devens was remembered as the Survivor player who came incredibly close to winning. Now he can be remembered as a reality competition winner.
What Happened Between Rick Devens and Drew Campbell?
One of the biggest stories from the Big Brother 28 finale was Devens’ decision to eliminate Drew Campbell.
The two had developed a strong relationship during the season. Devens had made promises to Drew and viewed him as an important ally.
However, Taylor Brown convinced Devens that taking Drew to the final two could be dangerous. Devens changed his plan.
He eliminated Drew and took Taylor to the end instead. The move was emotionally difficult but strategically successful.
Drew still voted for Devens to win, helping him secure the 6-1 victory. Drew later acknowledged that Devens played the better overall game even though the decision to cut him was painful.
This moment became one of the clearest examples of Devens’ willingness to make difficult decisions when the championship was within reach.
What Does Rick Devens Do for a Living?
Rick Devens has a background in news and communications.
Before becoming a reality television personality, he worked as a news anchor. More recently, he has been identified as the director of communications at Middle Georgia State University.
That professional background remains part of his identity outside reality television.
His communication skills have also become a useful part of his television career. Both Survivor and Big Brother require contestants to explain themselves under pressure.
Players must persuade other contestants, defend their decisions and communicate with a jury. Devens has demonstrated that he is comfortable doing exactly that.
Why Fans Remember Rick Devens
There are several reasons Rick Devens has remained popular with reality TV viewers.
First, his Survivor journey was unusual. He was eliminated and then returned through the Edge of Extinction twist. His comeback created one of the most memorable stories of his season.
Second, he plays aggressively.
Devens rarely waits for events to happen around him. He looks for opportunities to influence the game. That can create enemies but it can also create memorable television.
Third, he has a strong on-screen personality.
His background as a news anchor gave him experience speaking to audiences. He also developed a reputation for humor and confidence.
Finally, his Big Brother victory gave his career a new chapter.
Instead of being known only as the player who almost won Survivor, Devens now has a major reality TV championship to his name.
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FAQ’s
Who is Rick Devens?
Rick Devens is an American television personality and former news anchor who became famous as a contestant on Survivor. He later competed on Survivor 50 and Big Brother 28.
Did Rick Devens win Big Brother?
Yes. Rick Devens won Big Brother 28. He defeated Taylor Brown in the final jury vote by 6-1.
How much money did Rick Devens win on Big Brother?
Devens won the $750,000 grand prize. He also received $50,000 for being named America’s Favorite Houseguest and another $10,000 from the Pharaoh’s Curse twist. His reported total winnings were $810,000.
Was Rick Devens on Survivor?
Yes. Devens first competed on Survivor: Edge of Extinction, the show’s 38th season. He returned to the franchise for Survivor 50.
Did Rick Devens win Survivor?
No. Devens reached the Final Four on Survivor: Edge of Extinction but was eliminated before the final Tribal Council.
How old is Rick Devens?
Rick Devens was born on April 5, 1984. He is 42 years old in 2026.
Conclusion
Rick Devens has gone from being one of Survivor’s most memorable near-winners to becoming a reality television champion.
His story is unusual because his biggest fame initially came from losing. On Survivor: Edge of Extinction, Devens was voted out but returned through the season’s twist and fought his way back into contention.
For Survivor fans, he is the player who made an unforgettable comeback but never won the title. For Big Brother viewers, he is now a champion who proved that his reality TV skills could work in a completely different game.
Rick Devens’ journey is therefore more than another reality television comeback. It is a story about second chances, strategic risks and learning from past mistakes.
After coming so close on Survivor, he finally got his reality TV victory on Big Brother.
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