Culpepper previously overcame cancer during his college football career.

Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper, son of Survivor alums Brad and Monica, dies at 28 in dirt bike accident

Culpepper previously overcame cancer during his college football career.

By Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at **. He left EW in 2022.

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March 17, 2026 11:19 a.m. ET

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Brad Culpepper and Monica Culpepper; Rex Culpepper. Credit:

Tibrina Hobson/WireImage;Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire/Getty

Former college football player Rex Culpepper, the son of *Survivor* stars Brad and Monica Culpepper, has died.

The 28-year-old passed away due to injuries sustained in a dirt bike accident in Georgia on Saturday, according to the *Tampa Bay Times*.

Culpepper just recently became engaged fiancée Savanna Morgan, who shared the news of his death via Instagram.

“No one expects to meet the love of your life and lose them in only 6 short years after meeting,” she wrote. “Rex didnt always believe in soulmates but towards the end he told me that he didnt realize what having a soulmate felt like until we felt like extensions of each other. And one thing about us is that we lived every single day like it was our last. We did every little thing that we set our minds to, between learning new skills and hobbies, and traveling to new places, there was never any free time with us and not a moment spent apart. I dont regret a single day in our 6 years.”

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Culpepper hailed from a football and *Survivor* family. His father, Brad, played nine seasons in the NFL as a defensive tackle, suiting up for the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Chicago Bears. Later, Culpepper's parents, Brad and Monica, starred on multiple seasons of *Survivor*. The duo appeared together on season 27, *Blood vs. Water*, on which Monica was the runner-up. Brad returned for season 34, *Game Changers*, and he also finished second.

Monica Culpepper and Brad Culpepper on 'Survivor: Blood vs. Water.'.

Monty Brinton/CBS

Rex Culpepper was a survivor as well. He played quarterback for Syracuse University from 2017 to 2020, and during his career, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, but he battled through the disease and soon returned to the field.

"Our Orange family mourns the loss of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28," the Syracuse football program said in a statement. "Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange. Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life. Our hearts are with the Culpepper family & all those who loved him."

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