Long-running reality series Survivor loves bringing back past players. Everyone knows the big shots like Boston Rob, Amber, Sandra, and Russell Hantz, but Survivor has brought back numerous players throughout the years. Winners at War is arguably the biggest season ever in terms of returnees. Unlike All Stars or Heroes vs. Villains, Winners at War concerns, well, winners. As in, everyone competing has already won the game.
But sometimes the past should remain in the past. Sometimes bringing out the legends for a second, third, or maybe even fourth go-round doesn't quite work out. Here are 10 players who returned to the game and got worse.
Sandra Diaz-Twine
Everyone knows Sandra can play Survivor. She's the only two-time winner (until the Winners at War champ is declared, that is), and she's played a total of five times. Unfortunately, her latest outing on Winners at War was just embarrassing. She stupidly made a deal with Denise to sell her immunity idol for two fire tokens. As if that wasn't dumb enough, Denise played her and bought the idol for just one token (promising the second after tribal). There was no "after tribal." Denise used the idol on herself, negated the votes, and single-handedly voted out Sandra. This was such a rookie mistake for a legendary player.
J.T. Thomas
At least Sandra has only made one major blunder — J.T. made two. J.T. is the first castaway to play a "perfect game," winning by anonymous vote. Despite this, his reputation has grown considerably worse due to his subsequent misjudgments. In Heroes vs. Villains, J.T. famously gave his hidden immunity idol to Russell, resulting in his blindside and elimination. In Game Changers, he leaked plans at the joint Tribal Council and was voted off with a hidden immunity idol in his possession. Horrible, horrible mistakes.
Colby Donaldson
Colby Donaldson is widely considered to be the first great player of Survivor, having absolutely dominated The Australian Outback. And while he returned for All Stars and Heroes vs. Villains, he just couldn't get his act together. He floundered and continuously failed to live up to his Australian Outback hype, and was even referred to as "Superman in a fat suit" by tribemate James Clement.
Russell Hantz
Following Samoa, it's seems like producers really wanted to give Russell a win.
He immediately returned for Heroes vs. Villains and made a third appearance on Redemption Island. Unfortunately, Russell went out with a real fizzle. His Redemption Island tribe immediately pegged him as an enormous threat and he became the third person voted out of the game (and the first of his tribe). It was The Godfather III of Survivor.
Rupert Boneham
Rupert is one of the most popular Survivor contestants of all time. His eccentric personality was a huge hit with audiences, and he was seen as a major threat by many of his fellow castaways. His eliminations in both Pearl Islands and All Stars required blindsides, and many people were expecting a lot from him in Blood vs. Water. However, he took his wife's place on Redemption Island and became the first person eliminated from the game.
Jonny Fairplay
Jonny Fairplay is one of the most notorious villains in Survivor history, and his performance in Pearl Islands is legendary. Not only was he incredibly deceitful and confrontational, but he thought up the instantly-infamous Dead Grandmother Lie. Hype was incredibly high for his return in Micronesia.
Unfortunately, his heart was not in the game due to his expectant girlfriend at home. He asked to be voted off so he could return home and became the first person eliminated from the season.
Tom Westman
Tom Westman is one of the most dominant Survivor players of all time thanks to his leadership qualities and five individual immunity wins.
His run in Palau is one for the ages. But when he returned for Heroes vs. Villains, he had difficulty fitting in to the Heroes tribe (despite being the leader of Koror) and didn't seem to take much passion in playing the game. He was quickly voted out, having done very little throughout the season.
Danni Boatwright
Danni Boatwright played an incredible game in Guatemala and is rightfully regarded as one of the most deserving winners and cheer-worthy underdogs in Survivor history. But, like Sandra, she seemed past her prime in Winners at War. She told Ben about the Old School Alliance right in front of Ethan, making her appear untrustworthy to both sides. She also told Rob to vote out his number one ally. Unsurprisingly, Danni was swiftly eliminated from the game.
Aubry Bracco
Aubry had a fantastic character arc throughout Kaôh Rōng, and many people believe that she deserved the win over Michele Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, Aubry's performance on Edge of Extinction wasn't nearly as memorable. She was instantly painted as a target and was blindsided with both a hidden immunity idol and an extra vote advantage in her possession.
Tony Vlachos
Tony was a stellar player throughout Cagayan and has become known as the Russell Hantz of the new generation due to his hyperactive gameplay, penchant for betrayals and blindsides, and ability to find hidden immunity idols. Unfortunately, this style of gameplay cost him in Game Changers, and Sandra engineered his elimination in the second Tribal Council of the season.