The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Jeff Varner’s attempt to save himself on Survivor: Game Changers became one of the show’s most consequential Tribal Council moments. On April 12, 2017, he disclosed fellow contestant Zeke Smith’s transgender identity during a strategy argument. The other players condemned the disclosure, and host Jeff Probst sent Varner out of the game without a vote. The episode was followed by a public apology, a reported real-estate job loss and, later, Varner’s account of finding another job.
What Varner did at Tribal Council
During the April 12, 2017 episode, Varner accused Smith of “deception” and asked why he had not told the tribe that he was transgender. Varner was trying to shift the game’s focus and avoid being eliminated. The other contestants rejected that premise immediately: Smith’s gender history was personal, they said, and had nothing to do with the game. Probst told Varner there was no need to vote and sent him home. He was eliminated without a formal ballot. ABC News reported the episode and its aftermath.
Why Smith had not told the tribe
Smith said he wanted to be known as a Survivor player, not “the trans ‘Survivor’ player.” His friends and family knew he was transgender, but he did not want his gender history to overshadow the rest of his identity. In his published response, Smith stressed that this was private information and that the decision to disclose it belonged to him. His comments were reported by ABC News.
Varner apologized, but the impact remained Smith’s to describe
After the episode aired, Varner apologized publicly. In his own first-person essay for ET, published May 24, 2017, he called his action “a colossal mistake that has neither excuse nor defense.” He also wrote that “outing someone is assault,” a statement ABC News quoted from his public response.
#1 Best Overall
- The Official Survivor card game is here: Collect advantages, find hidden Immunity Idols, form secret alliances, and vote out other players to become the sole survivor.
- Designed by Jeff Probst: From the 67 Action Cards and 12 Survivor Character Cards to the Voting Box and Survival Guide– each one underwent rigorous testing by the King of Survivor.
- Perfect For Survivor Fans And Newbies Alike: It’s easy to learn and quick to play for adults, teens, and kids aged 8 and up.
- This party game brings all the thrills and drama of the island to family game nights or Survivor watch parties. Plus, it’s a great gift for the Survivor fan in your life.
- From The People Who Brought You Exploding Kittens: The Kickstarter famous, viral card game that started it all!
Smith said the disclosure frightened him because he did not know how the world around him would react. He described receiving support from friends and said he chose to forgive Varner. That did not mean excusing or forgetting what happened, or becoming friends. Smith explained that he hugged Varner because, as he put it, “I didn’t want him to feel the pain that I had.” ET reported Smith’s account of forgiveness and the impact.
He lost one real-estate job and said he found another
The controversy had a reported employment consequence. The Associated Press reported that Allen Tate Realtors fired Varner on April 13, 2017; the company said it did not want involvement in the news story. The AP’s report was published April 17.
Rank #2
- Survivor at Home: Quick, easy to learn, the official Survivor party game for families and groups. Fast setup, replayable rounds, and excitement for every age. Playable with two players, but even more fun with larger groups for bigger alliances and strategy.
- Perfect Gift for Survivor Fans: Great for family game nights, outdoor gatherings, and watch parties. A fun, affordable gift for fans who love competition, strategy, and laughter.
- Strategy, Luck, and Physical Challenges: Use the iconic Survivor Bag of Rocks to bluff, bid, and take risks in 5 new Survivor challenges.
- Enjoy as a standalone experience or connect with Survivor: The Tribe Has Spoken for expanded play and more characters.
- All the Island Essentials: Includes 10 Grey Rocks, 3 Purple Rocks, 1 Cloth Bag, 15 Challenge Cards, 12 Character Cards, and 1 Immunity Necklace for a true island feel.
At the Game Changers reunion, which aired May 24, Varner said Keller Williams had hired him after his dismissal. He also announced that he was writing a book called Surviving Shame. The reunion coverage establishes that he announced the book, not that it was later published. ET’s reunion report covers those remarks.
What is known about Varner’s more recent real-estate work
A current realtor.com profile lists a Jeff Varner as a North Carolina agent and displays sales through 2025. Its affiliation information conflicts: eXp Realty appears near the agent’s name, while the biography says Keller Williams. That directory listing points to continued real-estate activity, but it is not enough to identify his current employer with confidence or establish broader details about his life. The profile is available on realtor.com.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Boxed Game
The lasting significance of the episode
Varner’s strategy turned a contestant’s private history into a public accusation, and his tribemates refused to treat Smith’s nondisclosure as game deception. Smith’s explanation of why he had kept that history private—and his account of the fear and support that followed—remain central to understanding the moment. Varner later described remorse and efforts to understand his actions, but his apology does not erase the harm Smith described.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Do Not Begin Unless You Intend to Finish – Jumanji The Board Game takes you & your fellow adventurers on a quest through the jungle, solving riddles & completing challenges as you fight to survive
- Jungle Adventure for 2-4 Players – Roll to determine the number of spaces to move, then race across the colorful jungle-themed board to be the first to reach the center & yell “JUMANJI” to win
- Discover Jumanji’s Secrets – What would Jumanji be without a little trickery? Slide a card into the center decoder to magically reveal the next challenge you must overcome on your way to victory
- Family Game Night: Make memories with board games for kids 4-6, board games for kids 6-8 & board games for kids 8-12. take the fun outside with camping games & outdoor games for adults and family
- Spin Master Toys & Games: Looking for kids games, yard games & card games for grown ups, kids or teens? Shop everything from family game night, travel games, puzzles for adults & family games
Rank #4
- Product Details: Shipping Weight: 3 pounds, ASIN: B00004WHR4
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #67,328 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games
- Product Features: Based on the wildly popular first season of the Survivor TV series
- Just like on the show, meet challenges and employ your best team strategies,
- Played on an illustrated game board, comes with a plastic replica of the island of Pulau Tiga as its centerpiece and cardholder, An illustrated game board, 168 game cards in 3 different categories of questions and riddles, Pictionary-type cards, a special die, Also includes 10 playing pieces and stands, 9 erasable voting cards, an erasable pen, immunity idol, and an instruction sheet, Its a multiplayer game (for 4-8 players)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
