John Rocker & Julie McGee, ‘Survivor’: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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Survivor doesn’t know what’s coming as John Rocker and Julie McGee join the game. Read on for all the details on former major-leaguer Rocker and his girlfriend.

1. Rocker Is a Former Major League Baseball Player

#JohnRocker on Survivor. Must watch. pic.twitter.com/xK848gkjcK

— Jon Tesmer (@Tesmer_) September 21, 2014

Rocker is a relief pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves, the Cleveland Indians, the Texas Rangers, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. During his career, he was suspended as well as admitted to steroid use. Rocker was even implicated in a steroid ring that included the Applied Pharmacy of Mobile, Alabama.

2. The Two Are Hoping That Survivor Will Bring Them Together on a Deeper Level

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As far as their being on Survivor, both Rocker and McGee hope that the experience will bring them together as opposed to driving them apart. Rocker tells CBS: To me, playing Survivor with my loved one means having the opportunity to engage in a very unique experience together. Life is about creating new experiences which many times can bind individuals together on a more intimate level. I am hoping that Survivor will do this for Julie and me.

McGee adds:

The game will allow us to use the difficult nature of the experience to dig deeper into our relationship. I know it will be challenging both physically and mentally but I’m happy to be sharing this new journey with John.

3. Rocker Was Once In the Media for Making Homophobic Comments

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In a 1999 issue of Sports Illustrated, Rocker made some homophobic comments that didn’t sit well with many. When asked if he would every play ball for the the New York Yankees or the New York Mets, he said:

I’d retire first. It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark looking like you’re riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing… The biggest thing I don’t like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?

Wikipedia reports:

The interview was conducted while driving to a speaking engagement in Atlanta. The reporter, Jeff Pearlman, wrote that during the interview session, Rocker spat on a Georgia State Route 400 toll machine and mocked Asian women. Also, Rocker referred to African-American teammate Randall Simon as a “fat monkey” … Although Rocker later apologized after speaking with Braves legend and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron and former Atlanta mayor and congressman Andrew Young, he continued to make controversial remarks.[5] For his comments, he was suspended without pay for the remainder of spring training and the first 28 games of the 2000 season, which on appeal was reduced to 14 games (without a spring-training suspension).

Hopefully, Rocker has changed … or this could be a very volatile season on Survivor.

4. McGee Owns a Spray Tanning Business

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McGee owns a spray tanning business called True Glow Spray Tan that provides mobile tanning services. She also models for her company and is very into fitness as well as healthy-living. A percentage of the proceeds from McGee’s tanning business is donated to the Skin Cancer Foundation. In both business and in life, McGee feels her strength and determination pulls her through.

I am super determined when I put my mind to a task. I am not one to look for help, if I need something, I make it happen. I believe I could be one of the last few on the show.

5. Even Though His Father Passed Away, Rocker Still Considers Him his Inspiration

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McGee’s inspiration in life is her mother, while Rocker’s is his father. Unfortunately, Rocker’s father has passed away, but he maintains that he always hopes to make his father proud. He tells CBS:

The majority of the values, ethics and moral that have made me who I am and shape me to this today. I learned from watching how he conducted himself. My father passed in 2007 and I still find myself wanting that ability to ask his advice on certain things because his direction was so important to me for many years.