Once Survivor fans are past the point of having to figure out which seasons to watch first, they tend to learn a lot about Jeff Probst’s beloved reality show. For example, many fans learn who the first person to be medically evacuated was, and they find out that some Survivor players have refused to return. On top of that, Survivor fans often wind up having really strong opinions about how to rank the show’s seasons, which players are the best, and which winners deserve the most respect.

During Survivor 48, the show’s dedicated fans got to watch Cedrek McFadden play and the truth is that most of them weren’t impressed. However, those same knowledgeable Survivor fans should be paying attention to how impressive Cedrek has been after the season.

How Survivor’s Cedrek McFadden Proved How Impressive He Is As A Person

Throughout the history of Survivor, some facts about the show have always been extremely clear. One perfect example of that is the fact that, generally speaking, Survivor’s biggest fans have always had strong opinions that they haven’t been afraid to debate.

In many cases, the fact that Survivor fans are so passionate about debating is one of the best parts of watching the show. After all, going on places like the r/survivor subreddit and debating subjects about the show can be a lot of fun.

However, fans sadly seem to sometimes forget that those social media debates can have very real emotional fallout. Fortunately for him and the show’s fans, Cedrek McFadden recently dealt with some of that fallout in a way that proved how impressive he is as a person.

Looking back at how he played during Survivor 48, there are some simple facts about Cedrek McFadden’s tenure that are undeniable.

On the bright side of things, there is no denying that Cedrek came across like a sweet man that would be a joy to have in your life as a friend of a family member. On the other hand, it was also very clear that Cedrek seemed like he wasn’t emotionally equipped to play Survivor in a strategic way. After all, Cedrek seemed to be tortured by the necessity to turn on people and vote his tribemates out.

As a result of Cedrek’s lack of strategic gameplay, he wasn’t embraced by many of Survivor’s most passionate fans. An account on X that goes by Rob’s Fact Checker published an image of a Survivor 48 fan poll’s results that revealed how unpopular Cedrek was with passionate viewers.

According to the poll, only 7% of the respondees answered that they “love” Cedrek. Roughly another 13% answered that they “like” Cedrek, while around 37% were “neutral” on him. The remaining respondees, which represent roughly 43%, answered that they were “not a fan” of Cedrek.

Of course, nobody would want to see polling like that about themselves. With that in mind, it is unfortunate that Cedrek reposted the image with the polling results.

When Survivor 48 was airing, there were people on social media who were calling Cedrek out in unkind ways. Between that and the poll results, Cedrek certainly had very valid reasons to have an ax to grind when it comes to Survivor fans.

Instead of calling out Survivor fans for the cruel ways they can talk about players online, Cedrek’s X repost went the opposite way.

In response to the flack he got from viewers, Cedrek thanked Survivor fans for being part of his reality show journey.

“Whether you loved me, liked me, were neutral, or firmly in the “not a fan” camp—thanks for watching. Thanks for the love, the roasts, the hate, memes, and everything in between. I learned a lot, laughed a lot (sometimes at myself), and had the experience of a lifetime. #Survivor #Survivor48 @survivorcbs @CBS”

Cedrek McFadden Gained Something Wonderful From His Survivor Journey

When fans imagine what it would feel like to play Survivor, they typically envision the fame and fortune that could come with winning the game. As a result, it makes sense that some former Survivor players have been bitter after being voted out early.

After Cedrek was voted out early, however, he proved that disappointed players don’t have to react that way to losing.

Instead, Cedrek proved in a pair of posts that he is a class act.

On May 23rd, 2025, Cedrek published a post on X about how much he appreciated becoming close with his Survivor 48 castmates.

“The greatest gift Survivor gives you isn’t the title or the prize—it’s the people. Seventeen others walked with me on Season 48. We shared chaos, emotion, and unforgettable moments that built real bonds. Since the game ended, I’ve had meaningful talks with each of them. They understand this ride in a way no one else ever will. It’s complex, it’s nuanced, and it’s ours. For that, they’ll always have a place in my heart—and in one of the most meaningful journeys I’ve ever taken. #Survivor48 #Gratitude”

Days later on May 26th, 2025, Cedrek published another X post that revealed how he handled being the first jury member. Instead of behaving like past jurors and confronting people as they exited the game, Cedrek described how he welcomed everyone who was voted out and tried to make them feel better.

“Kyle, Joe, and Eva arrived at Ponderosa—just hours after the final tribal council. We had our winner, and the season was coming to a close. After I had been voted out, I started a quiet tradition: sitting on the steps to welcome each person after they were voted out. From Chrissy to now Kyle, Joe, and Eva—and as the jury grew, others joined me on those steps. A simple act to show that, beyond the game, life continues—and so do the connections we make along the way. #Survivor48 #Survivor @CBS @survivorcbs”

Based on everything that is known about him, it seems obvious that Cedrek truly is a classy and kind person who deserves more admiration than many Survivor winners.