Ted Rogers, Jr.

Ted Rogers, Jr. (mostly known as Big Ted) is a contestant from.

He is remembered for being accused of "grinding" against Ghandia Johnson at night.

Profile
Ted Rogers, Jr. was born and raised in Roosevelt, New York. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management in Information Systems and is a member of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (Alpha Chapter) at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. A former football player, Ted fulfilled a dream by playing in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys during their 1994 pre-season.

Ted is currently a software development manager at a major computer corporation. He previously worked as a software engineer, software designer, software developer and substitute teacher. He enjoys motorcycle riding, web page designing, and listening and dancing to music. Ted is most proud of creating the Big Dog Riders Motorcycle Club, which he feels not only eliminates the stereotype of a sports bike rider, but also provides a way to affect his community directly in a very positive manner.

Ted currently lives in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife and their child, Morgan. They have a miniature schnauzer named Nino and mixed breed dog named Sade. His birth date is December 28, 1964

Survivor: Thailand
Ted was a member of the older Chuay Gahn tribe in Survivor: Thailand. He, Brian Heidik, Helen Glover, Jan Gentry, and Clay Jordan bonded together early in the game and held true until the tribes merged. Ted was also involved in the controversial "Grindgate" incident of that season when, in Day 8, fellow Chuay Gahn member Ghandia Johnson accused him of snuggling too close while sleeping in the cave during the night. Rogers (who was married) felt guilty about the incident and apologized to Johnson (who was also married) the next morning, saying that she reminded him of his wife. At that moment, Johnson appeared to be fine, so she accepted Rogers' apology and hugged him.

Later that afternoon, however, Johnson clearly was still holding grudges against Rogers. She angrily went to the beach and began to scream and throw rocks. She then went to both Glover and Gentry and accused Rogers of harassing her and tried to organize a plot to vote Rogers off at the next Tribal Council. Rogers got word of Johnson's accusations and immediately called the tribe together to recap what actually happened to finally put the issue to rest. Rogers punctuated his speech to the tribe by letting Johnson know, in no uncertain terms, that he is unattracted to her, and is also happy with his relationship with his wife. Rogers and the remaining members then concluded that Johnson could not be trusted, and voted her off on night twelve. Since Ghandia's elimination, the remaining five Chuay Gahn members would remain in the game, by winning two successive Immunity Challenges, leveling the tribes with five members each.

In Day 19, when it appeared the tribes would merge, Rogers invited Shii Ann Huang, who was the lowest rung in the Sook Jai majority alliance, to become part of theirs. But in the subsequent Immunity Challenge, the two tribes were shocked upon learning that the tribes merely just lived together, but not merged. Chuay Gahn went on winning the next two challenges, decimating the rival Sook Jai tribe to three. The eight remaining players would then merge as the Chuay Jai tribe, where the five ex-Chuay Gahns systematically eliminated the remaining Sook Jai members, Ken Stafford, Penny Ramsey, and Jake Billingsley.

Once the Chuay Gahn members had to turn on each other at ensuing Tribal Councils, Rogers was first to go, being the biggest physical threat remaining.

At Final Tribal Council, Ted castigated Brian for abusing their friendship and accused Clay for making racial slurs behind his back. In the end, Ted voted for Brian to win, stating that he was the lesser of two evils.

Post-Survivor

 * On January 9, 2010, Ted attended Survivor's 10-year anniversary party.

Trivia

 * Ted's luxury item was a Shaving Kit. He did not use it to shave his facial hair, and instead shaved his head, once every three days.
 * Ted was on the Dallas Cowboys 1994 pre-season roster but was cut before the season started.
 * Ted was the first person to be selected by Schoolyard Pick.
 * Ted is the first contestant to write a single letter in casting a vote for Brian Heidik for Sole Survivor.
 * Ted is the second African American victim of the Car Curse, after Sean Rector of the previous season.