"Had certain things slowing us down" — The Amazing Race star Jeff breaks silence about their scoreboard position

Big Jeff and Little Jeff from The Amazing Race Season 37 | Image via Instagram/ @theamazingrace
Big Jeff and Little Jeff from The Amazing Race Season 37 | Image via Instagram/ @theamazingrace

Jeff and Pops kept a steady pace throughout Season 37 of The Amazing Race, frequently placing in the middle of each leg. Even while they never took the lead, they weren't lagging behind either, and as the competition got harder, they established themselves as a dependable presence. Many debated whether the club was being cautious to avoid being targeted as a result of their consistent stance.

Jeff noted, though, that the plan did not include remaining in the center. He disclosed that although they were doing their best, obstacles prevented them from being the best.

“We wanted to win every leg. We had certain things slowing us down. Pops' ankle was in really bad shape for the entire race. That was one thing. And then we never really got lucky in any situation,” he explained, shedding light on their persistent physical and situational challenges.

Jeff and Pops showed tenacity and resolve in the face of these obstacles. They carefully planned, adjusted every week, and persisted. Their perseverance and togetherness left a lasting impression, even if they didn't dominate any one leg. Many fans found that their trip was more about tenacity than positioning, and that's what kept them playing.


Jeff reveals how staying in the middle helped them survive longer on The Amazing Race

Jeff and Pops spent most of The Amazing Race Season 37 in the middle of the pack. Many viewers questioned whether this was deliberate, but Jeff revealed that they were totally fine with it. Giving every leg their all while negotiating unforeseen turns was the true thrill for them. They were more concerned with maintaining consistency and adjusting to new problems than they were with winning.

“We were okay with being in the middle, because we knew every leg that we were giving it everything, and we were excited about the fact that each challenge was something so different,” Jeff explained.

He went on to say that the twists, such as the Driver's Seat, frequently favored them by inciting conflict between the top teams. Being at the pit stop with several teams on leg four gave them the opportunity to watch rivalries develop, particularly between Scott, Lori, Jonathan, and Ana.

They benefited socially from their position. Rather than posing a threat, they watched the top teams play each other in silence and took calculated precautions. Jeff acknowledged that their middle-ground approach had its own special advantages, saying,

"We were excited to see some tension between those front of the pack teams."

Social strategy played a key role in Jeff and Pops' The Amazing Race journey

Jeff and Pops played smart, silently, to maintain their lead even though they weren't at the top of The Amazing Race scoreboard. In addition to surviving, they also wanted to subtly affect the race from within. Jeff disclosed that they formed important partnerships, avoided the drama on the front lines, and used plot twists to divert attention away from themselves.

As they made steady progress, they allowed opposing teams to target one another by concentrating on relationships and time. Although it wasn't extravagant, it worked.


You can watch their journey on The Amazing Race Season 37 on CBS.

Edited by Sezal Srivastava