When being interviewed in the jungle before the start of Survivor 50, Rick Devens was asked if he would ever play Big Brother (BB). His response was basically a “no.”

Well, something changed between the end of Survivor 50 and the start of this summer because the two-time Survivor player did enter the BB house, along with two fellow reality tv icons in Dee -- Survivor 45 winner and Survivor 50 player -- and Angela -- BB 26 player.

While he was a fan favorite back at home, some of the newbies of the season thought he was being given special treatment because he was an icon.

But at the end of the day, he played BB similar to the way he played Survivor: Make big moves, build relationships, and have fun.

He protected himself with multiple alliances, won challenges when he had to, and used his power as a strategic tool. 

Even at the end of the game, when he needed to win back-to-back challenges to secure his spot in the final two, he did so. As the final head of household, he did something he never did during his two times playing Survivor: Cut his closest ally (Drew) at the finale.

When all week it looked like he would be taking his 22-year-old “son” with him to the end, Ms. Taylor got in his ear and convinced him he would lose 4-3 to Drew if she was the final member of the jury. Taylor earned her $75,000 second place prize with that 11th hour speech, but it wasn’t good enough to top Devens, who has been waiting eight years to pitch to a jury on why he should win a reality tv show.

Drew was a good sport in the end, and not only does Devens win the big prize, but he also won the $10,000 from the Pharaoh’s Curse, and $50,000 for being America’s Favorite Houseguest. $810,000 for a 12-week summer in the BB house I think was well worth it for Jack, Juju, and Becca Devens.

 It was an ICONIC ending to a season that truly was all about the icons. Early in the season, I said the Crossovers would run the season and all members made it to jury and 3/5 made it to the final four. I would say that prediction turned out to be true.

 Drew played a great middle game, but he couldn’t win out when he needed to. Taylor lurked in the shadows and avoided eviction, despite being on the block six times. It’s a testament to her game, but at the end of the day, Devens was destined to win BB 28.