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A JEOPARDY! contestant has revealed he is battling stage four colon cancer during an emotional moment in the middle of the game.
Chris Burge, a high school teacher from Farmers Branch, Texas, opened up about his medical battle on national television in hopes of encouraging the show’s millions of viewers to get regular health screenings.
Chris made his Jeopardy! debut on Tuesday against two-day champion Paul Clauson, a tax analyst from Madison Heights, Michigan and Mikey McCullough, a librarian from Baltimore, Maryland.
During the interview segment at the top of the game, host Ken Jennings, 50, went over to chat to each contestant at their podiums.
While the quick chat is typically used to reveal a fun fact about themselves, Chris used his opportunity to deliver an important message to the audience.
“I understand that you’re facing a health challenge right now that you wanted to talk about,” Ken said to Chris.
Chris, who was provided a chair and sat behind the podium during the game, responded: “I’ve been fighting stage four colon cancer since May.
“Young adult diagnosis’ have increased a lot in recent years. I definitely encourage people not to ignore any symptoms.
“And definitely go get tested, especially if you have any family history of it.”
Ken added that his message was a “great word to get out there.”
On his Facebook page, Chris shared a photo from the game of himself with Ken and added another reminder about the importance of health screenings.
Chris is currently teaching government and economics, as well as AP government and economics, at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep.
Fans took online to wish Chris all the best during his recovery journey.
“Great game by all three players where any of the three Daily Doubles going the other way would’ve changed who won. All the best to Chris in his hopeful recovery,” one person wrote.
“Here’s wishing Chris Burge a full and complete recovery. You performed well against two strong competitors, Chris!
“And I’m rooting for you. Refua Shlema! But also…tick off a few more bucket list items! Well done,” another said.
“Sending you all the prayers and love Chris! You’ve got this!!!!” a third exclaimed.
While a fourth bluntly put it: “F**k cancer! Kick its a** Chris sending you love!”
Chris challenged Mikey and Paul – who was looking to extend his two-day earnings of $36,300.
The game was decided by the trio of Daily Doubles – which greatly changed the outcome of the winner.
Jeopardy! Contestant Rules
Passing Jeopardy!'s online Anytime Test is hard enough, but there are also many rules players must follow once they make it to the stage:
- The returning champion is always at the leftmost podium and keeps playing until they lose.
- Contestants don’t have to say “who is” or “what is” in the first round but must do so in Double Jeopardy! and Final Jeopardy.
- Contestants can change their responses as long as Ken Jennings or the judges haven’t made a ruling.
- The minimum wager for a Daily Double is $5. The minimum wager for Final Jeopardy! is $0.
- Written responses in Final Jeopardy! do not have to be spelled correctly, but they must be phonetically correct (the judges decide this).
- If there’s a tie after Final Jeopardy, the tied players enter a bonus clue shootout, and whoever buzzes in first correctly wins.
- If all three contestants wager everything in Final Jeopardy! and are incorrect, leaving them with $0, there will be no returning champion (it’s happened before—six times).
“Sports and the City” was the category as the contestants placed their wagers.
Ken read out the final clue: “At 800 West Main & 700 Central in this city are a company & a venue both involved in Triple Crowns.”
While only Chris was correct with “what is Louisville?” he had too much ground to make up being in third place by the Final Jeopardy! round.
Mikey dropped $2,000 to win the game with $18,200 – while Chris ended with $1,600.
In an attempt to take over the game, returning champ Paul bet all of his $11,000, ending his final game with $0.
Newcomer Mikey will attempt to continue his winning streak on tomorrow’s game.
