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Steve “Chicken” Morris reflects on his time as a player on “Survivor: China”

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Chicken in China—Smyth man first to leave TV show

By CAITLIN SULLIVAN/Staff

Steve Morris didn’t go to China for the money, the $1 million prize. He went for the experience.

On Thursday night, around 20 family members and friends gathered at the Blue Willow Cafe in Saltville, joining16 million other viewers, to see the experience come to an end. 

Morris, the man known as Chicken, was the first to be voted off the “Survivor: China.” The Marion native, who raises poultry in Rich Valley, was selected last June to take part in the popular reality television series. During the show, 16 contestants compete in exotic locations with little tools for survival. The goal is to be the last person left. The prize, $1 million.

Morris’ leg rocks back and forth beneath the table as he prepares to watch himself on the TV. Though he was the first contestant to leave the show, Morris has been back in Smyth County since August. 

His life has changed now, for good and bad. 

He came home to the end of a 10-year relationship and the ensuing depression. On top of that was the sometimes overwhelming attention that comes with being a part of a television show. 

“I got a call this morning from a guy that said ‘my neighbors cousin used to work with you at Wal-Mart,’” he said. “Look how distant that is. People are just proud to know you.”

He said he has to watch what he says now. People are actually listening.

“I’m just a plain, ordinary guy,” he said. “Now people want to hear what you got to say.”

He said the attention is like killing a deer during hunting season. It’s an adrenaline rush. The ring tone on his phone, a chicken’s cluck, squawks a lot nowadays.

Morris hadn’t seen a television since he left for China. He has no idea how the show turned out or what the other contestants might have said behind his back. In some ways, he’s just another viewer, watching, signature hat on his head, elbows on the table.

“It’s very strange to see it on TV,” he says.  

At one point during the show, just before he was voted out, Chicken says, “I don’t fit in.”

He returned from China with more than he had taken. Most important to him, he said, is the Buddhist necklace and bracelet. He fingers the beads around his palm as he looks out over the 850 acres of land in Rich Valley.

“I never used to wear jewelry,” he said, but these are sentimental. 

He said when he looks at his bracelet he thinks of Yo Yo, the woman who made the bracelet for him on the street in Bejeng. He said he saw people and places he never dreamed of. 

He still talks to his psychiatrist about every day. He said if it hadn’t been for the psychiatrist provided by the show, “I wouldn’t be here. I would’ve packed up and run or still not be eating or sleeping.

“Depression, when it gets a hold of you it gets a hold of you,” he said. “You don’t have time to adjust your mind and heart and soul. Instead of opening up and telling people, you’re kind of ashamed…. I wish I had swallowed my pride and found help with family and friends. You don’t care about nothing.”

He’s better now, he said. He said he’s opening up more than ever before. 

“When I got back I called people I hadn’t talked to in years,” he said. “I had a story to tell and I missed people.”

The restaurant is quiet as the TV blares.

“And the first person to be voted off Survivor is. Chicken.”

The restaurant breathes a collective groan.

 “I’m not disappointed,” the Chicken on screen said. “I had the experience of a life time.”

“Well, we’re proud you got to go,” a woman says. “You done good.”

“They don’t understand people from here,” Chicken said. “These seven people never been in the woods. I bet they couldn’t start a lawn mower if they wanted to. These people, I couldn’t communicate with them. I was just different. They’re not like y’all here.”

“You said you were the odd man out,” a man says. “You’re not odd.”

Chicken picks up an empty Pepsi bottle and spits in it, his Buddha bracelet around his wrist.

To contact Caitlin Sullivan e-mail or call (276) 628-7101.