Jimmy Johnson has become a "Survivor" celebrity, even though he has yet to appear on the show.
Johnson says he knew the CBS reality series was popular, but lately he's surprised to find himself talking more about his experience on "Survivor: Nicaragua" than about football.
The premiere of "Survivor" airs Wednesday, and the 67-year-old Johnson's involvement has already received considerable attention since taping concluded this summer.
The former coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, University of Miami and Oklahoma State spent more than a month as one of 20 castaways. He was part of a team of 10 contestants over the age of 40 competing against a group 30 and under.
The famous ex-coach and former psychology major said he got along well with the others.
"They're fans, and they enjoy talking football," he said. "When things were kind of rough and we were lying on the bamboo at night, they'd say, `Jimmy, give us a football story.' We really had a great relationship."
Johnson didn't say how he fared, or even how much weight he lost while on the show. But he said he has only gained about half back. It is also not known if any strands of his hair got out of place.
