Three prominent figures have exited the fifth season of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” during an episode aired on Thursday, 1 October. Former NFL player LeSean McCoy, ex-congressman George Santos, and actress Ruby Rose all faced their own challenges that ultimately led to their departures from the show.
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LeSean McCoy made headlines when he self-eliminated early in the episode. The football star’s exit came after his refusal to use an outdoor toilet, stating, “I ain’t going to be s—ting outside.” When confronted by directing staff instructor Jason Fox about his commitment, McCoy firmly expressed his decision not to continue, which led to his dismissal from the course.
Following McCoy’s departure, directing staff instructor Jovon “Q” Quarles addressed the remaining recruits about his exit, criticizing McCoy for not demonstrating the level of commitment expected from participants. “That’s not the type of commitment level that we’re looking for. That’s BS. He just wasted our time,” remarked Quarles, setting a stern tone for the challenges that lay ahead.
The next challenge involved an intense jungle task requiring the recruits to descend a 300-foot ladder and retrieve a 17-pound supply bag. However, it was former congressman George Santos who faced insurmountable physical obstacles during this test. Santos revealed to instructor Quarles that he could not bear weight on his right leg and cited leg numbness and pain as reasons for his inability to continue. Tearfully, he announced his decision to withdraw from the competition, indicating that he had reached his physical limit.
Despite receiving a second chance the previous day, Santos was met with harsh criticism from instructor Mark Billingham. He remarked, “A leopard don’t change its spots” and accused Santos of wasting a valuable opportunity, leaving many viewers stunned at the intensity of the trainers’ responses to the recruits’ struggles.
The episode took a turn when Ruby Rose, after being warned about the risks of the rigorous challenges, accidentally injured herself. While getting into a vehicle, she hit her head, triggering recollections of a neck injury from her time filming “Batwoman.” With her health history causing concern, Rose revealed that she had broken her neck during a heavy stunt day, almost severing her spinal cord, which led to her feeling panicked about the recurrence of such injuries.
During tactical questioning, Rose explained her motivations for joining the competition, expressing her love for physical challenges and the desire to reconnect with her stunt-heavy past. However, she admitted that her body was not what it once was, leading her to ultimately question her ability to keep up with the demanding physical regime.
As the day’s challenges progressed, the recruits tackled an assault course through 1,500 feet of jungle. Rose and fellow contestant Hannah Stocking were among the last pairs to compete in this task. Rose struggled with her self-doubt and conveyed to instructor Fox that she was unsure if she could persevere. Ultimately, she made the decision to self-eliminate, acknowledging, “It’s just way harder than I thought it would be.”
In the aftermath of her exit, Rose reflected on her struggles with self-worth, revealing a lifelong journey of surviving and battling low self-esteem. “I have not loved myself in so long,” she shared, as she recognised the need for self-care and the importance of knowing her limits.
The episode’s events culminated in the departures of not one, but three participants, leaving a total of 11 recruits still vying to prove themselves. Remaining contestants include Candace Cameron Bure, Collin Gosselin, and father-daughter duo Alexia and Mauricio Umansky, among others.
“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” continues to air new episodes every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox, with viewers eager to see how the remaining contestants navigate the challenges that lie ahead.