Survivor Contestant and Rhode Island Resident Rob Antonson Talks Shock Twist on Last Weeks Episode

Photo: Scott Duncan/CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Survivor fans were left angry and shocked after last week’s episode of the reality TV survival series after contestant Rob Antonson decided to leave the game on only day six due to an apparent injury to his foot. This comes after Antonson attempted to write his own name down at Tribal Council before being told by production voting oneself out wasn’t allowed. While earlier episodes seemed to predict Antonson would make it far on the show, having found an immunity idol not even five days in, the Cumberland resident stands by his decision to exit the game citing the chance of an infection as the reason behind his departure. Now back home, the airline gate agent chats about his time on the show, if he has any regrets and what’s next for the most hated player to come out of Survivor 51 so far.

Watching the show, I couldn’t believe what was happening because I was really rooting for you, especially after you found the idol. When did it switch for you where you decided you’re done?

Day three is the big day for me that I walked in the ocean and hurt myself and it kind of just dwindled from there. I’m an idiot for not telling anybody. I should have told my tribe, and I should have told the doctor. CBS is great with that stuff. They always have you check in before you go to competition and all throughout the show you have check ins with the doc. I always said I was good when in reality from day three and on I was absolutely, completely miserable from my foot and leg. It went on then it was getting to day five and I couldn’t do it anymore. People also have to understand this is the game of Survivor.That was day five so we were all going with really no food, no sleep and very little water. My alliance members were Carter and Anna and I didn’t tell them my plans to blow myself up and write my own name down at Tribal Council. When it came down to the vote I felt like I was going to be a big hero and make Rhody proud because my leg wasn’t going to take me any further and I was one of the muscle people in the tribe. People think that was so idiotic and crazy, which I get, but put yourself in my shoes.

What happened after you left the show?

I can’t talk too much about that but Survivor fans know that you go somewhere else, you don’t get to just go home. People were saying that I quit to see my kids but when you leave the game you don’t get to go home. You still have no contact with your family and you don’t get to talk to anybody back home.

After leaving the show did you have any regrets?

 I mean my biggest regret was day three and not telling anybody because again if I had told the doctor he could have helped and given me medicine. I didn’t even know they had antibiotics, but I could have gotten some if I had spoken up. Listen, I never wanted to leave the game. I wanted to kick everyone’s asses. I came in to create chaos and looked at it like a business trip for me. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth and I got punched in the mouth with that injury. So I should have said something about the injury so I could stay on the island but people think I quit but I left because of an injury. Now I have to be one of the villains of reality TV right now. The hate I’ve been getting, a normal person would have been in a depression or hiding in a cave somewhere, but I’ve just been pushing through. I mean I welcome the haters because they’re building this new character. They forget this is reality TV and it’s all about ratings.

What has been the worst to see or hear from Survivor fanatics?

I think the biggest thing is that they say that I took an opportunity from somebody else. First off, I earned this opportunity. I put my application in just like everybody else and put my best foot forward. Even when you get that first call that you were chosen, you have to go through physicals and echo tests and bloodwork. There’s so much you have to do to even get on the show so to say I took somebody else’s opportunity is bull crap. I could see if I went on Survivor and just laid on the beach doing nothing, but I hit the ground running as a 40-year-old. I found an idol; I was putting targets on other people’s backs, and I was helpful in challenges.

Watching the show in real time as it airs, we see that Brady cut off part of his thumb. In watching that, did it make you more worried to see people’s reaction to your exit because they made it seem like you left over a paper cut essentially?

Honestly, I would have rather been Brady because that’s something I could deal with more than thinking of an infection. My wife’s a nurse so I’ve heard all the horror stories that can happen with infections. If you do any research, anyone with any logical sense would understand that an infection is dangerous. I have three kids so I can’t mess around with that. It’s my fault for not speaking up but I think I’d rather Brady’s injury than possibly getting an infection.

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You said in our first interview that you were doing this for your family. What were their reactions to finding out that you left due to injury?

My family has been totally supportive. I built myself a very supportive circle. I think people think I go to work and everyone’s raging in on me but they’re just happy I’m on Survivor. I feel like a lot of haters are just people who want to run their mouths behind screens, but other than those people, everyone around me has been extremely supportive. They know it’s a TV show and they know it’s a game. Even though it did mean the world to me to win, at the end of the day it is what it is. I do feel like my story’s not done and I hope I’m given another opportunity whether on Survivor or another show.

So, the in person public response has been good so far?

Everyone’s been great. People will ask me for photos at work and no ones been nasty.

Do you have a message to the haters?

My message to the hater’s is don’t let a show dictate your mentality and emotions. I’ve never been the person to watch a show and be so angry that I’m going to comment on the persons posts and throw hate. I had a 70-year-old woman leaving hate. What makes you do something like that? My message to the haters is get used to this face because I feel like I’m not going anywhere. Get the popcorn ready.

What do you think is next for you?

When I was young, all I wanted was to be on reality TV. I wanted to at least show who I was and my personality and again, I don’t feel like I’m done. I’m hoping more opportunities arise and if I get the chance to go back on Survivor, hell yeah, I’ll take it. Now I have to prove to all these haters and to the world what I can do.