Brad's Closing Statement



Alright, well thanks for your questions and concerns.  As finalists, I think we all typically see our own games through tinted glasses, seeing everything we do as the defining moments of the game, and naturally undervaluing each other.  That being said, I think I have tried to state my case as best as possible.  I've tried to explain what really happened in my game behind the scenes to allow for all the confusion or concerns that any person might have to ultimately make much more sense.

As I've stated throughout my answers,  I think my game was the most multi-faceted of the three of us that sit before you.  I was in two group alliances that sort of allowed me to be the lynch pin in the strategic plans of the Jaburu tribe.  Despite comparisons by my competitors that insinuated that my game was similar to Russell's, I find that implication completely false.  I rarely made unnecessary deals.  The two group alliances I was a part of were my large scale control of the group, and the closer deals I had with people like JP, Brandon, and Todd is what completely sealed my security throughout the game.  I didn't make alliances with anyone on Tambaqui (except Ryan, but I did want to honor that to some degree), because that would have been incredibly fake whenever I was aiming for a Jaburu final group.  I certainly made ENOUGH deals to frankly, never have to worry for the majority of the game.  However,  I didn't make deals with everyone if they weren't going to serve a bigger purpose in my game.  I did take the time to get to know everyone, even if Shawna found that to be fake, because I wanted the game to be cordial and respectful in that area.  I wasn't out to ignore anyone.

It's nice and all that Brandon, JP, and I are here in the Final 3 together and it can be stated that we were all "loyal" to each other, but frankly, the reason this Final 3 is the way it is because I wanted it to be that way.  One obstacle I tend to face on FGC games is balancing playing a smart and proactive strategic game but still maintaining a sense of loyalty to my closest allies.  I think this time, I got it right.  Yes, I lied to a handful of people that I did care about (Ryan, Shambo, Todd), but those were moves I had to make to ensure that I got here (and ideally with all the people I wanted).  People can get mad at me for moments like that, but when push comes to shove,  you really can't win Survivor by being completely honest.  I really did the best I could in terms of balancing all the values that I deem important in a potential winner, and while I hope you all decide to vote for me, if you don't, I can still take away the attempts I made to carry myself in the most well-rounded and strong way possible.

I think that Brandon, JP, and I do have a lot of similarities in our gameplay, but ultimately, there are some key differences that set us apart.  Like I said, I hope you decide to vote for me, because I feel like I played the best game, but ultimately, it's up to you all to decide that.  I wish you the best of luck with your decision.  It's been fun.