Entertainment Weekly: John Rocker to be on 29th season of Survivor

Former Atlanta Braves relief pitcher John Rocker will appear on the next season of the reality TV show "Survivor," according to an exclusive report from Entertainment Weekly.

The new season is called "Survivor: San Juan del Sur — Blood vs. Water" and will pit pairs instead of single contestants vying for a prize of one million dollars. Rocker will appear with his girlfriend, business owner Julie McGee.

Rocker has been involved in various controversies during and after his six-year career, including pointed comments made in a Sports Illustrated article published in 1999. Rocker currently writes columns for the right-wing website World Net Daily.

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Rocker, 39, pitched four years with the Braves and also had stints with the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers. He compiled a 3.42 ERA and 88 saves over 255.1 innings.

Other former athletes to appear on the show include former Giants second baseman Jeff Kent, former Cowboys and Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson and former NBA player Cliff Robinson.

Rocker said he isn't concerned with other people on the island recognizing him. 

“I see these folks that I’m getting ready to play this game with as very similar to the 13 years of professional baseball that I played, and the teammates that I played with," Rocker said. "Some of my biggest supporters after that SI debacle were my current and past teammates."

The show, which is being staged this season in Nicaragua, is in its 29th season and begins Sept. 24 on CBS.

For more on this season, including a list of contestants, visit Entertainment Weekly's report.

- Chris Johnson and Scooby Axson