Phillip Sheppard

Phillip Sheppard was a contestant of

He is known for repeatedly stating his formal federal agent status, although he appears to lack the tact and intelligence needed for the job and for wearing pink undergarments that made his tribemates feel uncomfortable, which became a running joke of the season.

Profile
Name (Age): Phillip Sheppard (52) Tribe Designation: Ometepe, Murlonio Current Residence: Santa Monica, Calif. Occupation: Technology Executive Personal Claim to Fame: Being a father to my son and being able to take risks in life. I say "yes" when others may say "no." Inspiration in Life: Medical Professionals - they save lives in real time. Hobbies: Chess, basketball, skating and sport training with weights. Pet Peeves: People who think they know everything and yet do nothing and watch others do the work. 3 Words to Describe You: Outgoing, articulate and determined. SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: I am my own man! Reason for being on SURVIVOR: I love the idea of competing and proving I still have what it takes to prevail in new challenges that are completely outside my normal everyday life. Why you think you'll "survive" SURVIVOR: I come from a large family (12 brothers and sisters), and as such I've become a creative problem-solver and good talker in stressful situations where others would give up. Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: I am a go-getter. As a former Special Agent with the former Defense Investigation Services, I honed my interview and investigative skills to persevere when others are being evasive or less than forthcoming.

Survivor: Redemption Island
From the beginning, Phillip rubbed his tribe the wrong way from day one, with his tribe did not take kindly to his bossy attitude and outrageous statements. After Ometepe lost the first Immunity Challenge, he was approached by Kristina Kell and Francesca Hogi to work together to get rid of a member of the large Rob Mariano-led alliance. However, at tribal council Phillip worked self-defensively and called out Kristina and Francesca (mispronouncing her name several times despite corrections) and Kristina's Hidden Immunity Idol. In a confessional, Phillip revealed that he had been acting as an annoying, controversial contestant intentionally as part of a well-hidden strategy to make his tribemates believe that he is the perfect person to bring to the final three.

After losing yet another Immunity Challenge, Phillip approached Rob and told him he "owned his vote". Rather than risk Phillip opening his mouth at Tribal Council again, Rob simply put his hand on Kristina's shoulder before he voted, indicating that he wanted Phillip to vote for her. Out of fear, Kristina decided to play the idol, not knowing Rob swerved the vote to Matt Elrod's direction instead.

Despite annoying his tribemates with his dictatorial approach, outbursts and odd comments, Phillip lasted through the merge. His peculiarities continued to be a constant source of discourse with the former Zapatera members. Being a part of the Ometepe alliance, he joined in voting out the then-recently returned Matt, who threatened the solidity of the alliance, sending him back to Redemption Island. While Ometepe had the upper hand, the Zapateras outwardly showed their disdain for Phillip. When Steve Wright finally snapped and called him "crazy", Phillip lashed out, stating that Wright is subconsciously telling him the derogatory "N" word. This gesture sparked controversy around camp, where Phillip's alliance partners rallied to Steve's defense and let Phillip know that he was overreacting. That afternoon before Tribal Council, Julie jokingly stole Phillip's shorts, much to his dismay. At the next Tribal Council, the heated discussion between Steve and Phillip was a main topic of discussion. after admitting she stole the garment, Julie faced the wrath of Ometepe, voting her out. The next day, Phillip miraculously found his shorts under a rock. As predicted, the remaining Zapatera members Steve and Ralph were subsequently voted out, forcing the six Ometepes to turn on each other.

When Andrea returned from Redemption Island, she zeroed in on Phillip as being the next to go. Rob got wind of the plot and managed to convince the tribe to vote for Andrea instead. Phillip managed to make it to the final three along with Rob and Natalie. During the final Tribal Council he was lambasted for his strange behavior and odd comments. The only person that voted for Phillip was Ralph, the only Jury member who seem to have a liking for Phillip, which apparently was mutual. This one vote landed him second place, losing to Rob by eight votes.

At the live reunion show, Jeff Probst introduced a special guest - a certified federal agent named Diane Hardy. She revealed that Phillip was indeed a former federal agent.

Trivia

 * Rob Cesternino stated on the April 29 episode of Rob Has A Podcast that Sheppard has blocked Stephen Fishbach on Twitter.
 * Phillip was the oldest contestant in Survivor: Redemption Island.
 * Sheppard also has a knack for mispronouncing Francesca Hogi's name, calling her Francesqua. He also did this to Andrea Boehlke calling her Andraya.
 * Francesca referred Phillip's underwear as saggy, fuchsia briefs.
 * Phillip was the only Ometepe member at the merge that did not win an Individual Challenge. (Matt had won duels on Redemption Island; Grant, Rob, Ashley, Andrea, and Natalie had all won either Reward Challenges or Immunity Challenges).
 * Phillip is currently tied with Survivor: South Pacific's Ozzy Lusth for having the most number of votes in a single season, with 17.
 * During Phillip's interviews in the episodes of Survivor: Redemption Island, where it says Phillip's occupation, there's a "?" at the end, stating that the editors could not tell if he was joking or not. But in the reunion show, Jeff Probst confirmed that Phillip did work in the government.