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With the finale of Big Brother Season 28 still fresh, many fans are replaying one late-game choice that may have changed everything. Drew Campbell opted to stick with Rick Devens instead of evicting him when he held the final Power of Veto — a decision that some argue cost Drew the $750,000 grand prize.
What happened in the final Veto: the move that mattered
In the closing days of the season, Drew secured the last Power of Veto and faced a critical choice. With Taylor Brown as Head of Household and safe, Drew cast the sole Veto vote that removed Dee Valladares from the block, leaving Rick Devens in the house.
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That moment set the stage for the final competitions. Drew believed removing Dee offered him the best chance to reach the end without becoming an immediate target.
Why Drew chose loyalty over a risky play
Drew has said his decision came down to trust and math. He and Devens had formed a close alliance and made mutual promises about sitting together in the final two.
- Trust and promises: Drew felt committed to the alliance and the verbal deal.
- Risk assessment: He believed Dee would not have taken him to the end.
- Competition odds: Drew acknowledged he would have needed to win the final Head of Household to secure his spot.
He also weighed Taylor’s potential moves. If Taylor had won the final HoH, Drew expected her to make a bold play by taking out Devens, which he thought could have worked in his favor.
Key strategic factors Drew mentioned
- Devens had a high profile and strong resume going into the endgame.
- Drew felt that removing Devens himself would make him the next target.
- He preferred to gamble on loyalty rather than rely solely on winning more competitions.
Devens’ final HoH and the shock eviction
After Drew spared him, Rick Devens won the final Head of Household. In the resulting decision, Devens chose to evict Drew from the game, a move influenced by conversations with Taylor.
For Drew, the blow was personal but not surprising. He admitted the choice stung, but he recognized the cold logic behind it. Devens wanted the safer pick to maximize his own odds at the prize.
Drew’s reaction: respect, heartbreak, and perspective
Drew has described mixed feelings: hurt by the betrayal, yet understanding of the gameplay. He said he would have made the same cut in Devens’ position.
Drew refused to be a bitter juror. When the time came to cast his jury vote, he supported Devens for the win, crediting him for running the game and winning competitions.
Why Drew voted for Devens
- Devens won multiple competitions late in the season.
- His experience and public profile painted a target, yet he navigated it to the end.
- Drew judged the winner on the merit of gameplay rather than personal grievance.
How jurors viewed the finale and the $750,000 outcome
Many jurors grappled with similar tensions: emotional bonds versus moves that secured the jury’s respect. Drew’s vote reflected a pragmatic lens.
He praised Devens for controlling the social and competitive tempo, and for making the plays that ultimately decided the outcome.
Final notes on strategy from the season 28 finalist
Drew emphasized that alliances in Big Brother are fluid. Promises are often tools of convenience. He accepted that being loyal can backfire, but he also said he doesn’t regret choosing to honor the deal.
Ultimately, Drew acknowledged Devens as the best player in that season and left the jury phase willing to reward the person he felt had managed the house most effectively.
