Injured ‘Survivor’
tribe member recovers

updated 1:13 p.m. ET March 5, 2005

NEW YORK - Most eliminated castaways on CBS’ “Survivor” walk out of tribal council. After slipping on a coconut and injuring his ankle, Jeff Wilson hobbled out.

“It took awhile to heal,” Wilson told The Associated Press on Friday. “As soon as I got off, they had a medic for me. It did take a good duration of time to heal.”

The hunky 21-year-old Ulong tribe member said the injury, stemming from previously getting hit by a truck, required surgery after he left Palau, the South Pacific island nation where the show is set.

“I did have to end up babying it more than I would’ve liked to, but it’s better now,” he said.

Much of Wilson’s “Survivor” time was spent with tribemate and cuddle partner Kim Mullen. Wilson insists the romance was real, and he’s hoping there’s some off-island sparks.

“There was an attraction, of course,” Wilson said. “Being stuck on a deserted island made it that much more appealing. I don’t think it was because we were on a TV show. I hope something can work from here.”

On the show, the muscly personal trainer was mostly seen in a pair of wet boxer-briefs. After being stranded in street clothes, Wilson stripped to his wet Fruit of the Looms for chores and challenges, although he is a little modest about his “Survivor” skivvies.

“Shoot, I would’ve rather had Speedos, to tell you the truth, you know, something that’ll actually dry,” Wilson said. “I didn’t expect I’d have to be running around in my boxers in front of 20 million people.”

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