Red Wings T-Shirt Lands Minnesota Woman on Survivor 48

A vintage hockey jersey and some Minnesota trash talk turned a reality TV audition into a life-changing moment for Eva Erickson.

When the 25-year-old from Eagan, Minnesota, walked into her final Survivor 48 casting interview, she wasn't wearing her favorite team's colors. Her casting director had specifically asked her to wear a Red Wings t-shirt from her vintage NHL collection.

The moment she entered the Los Angeles room, producers and host Jeff Probst erupted. "Oh my God, are you a Red Wings fan?!" they shouted.

Erickson laughed and admitted she wasn't, but the shirt opened the door to talk about her real passion: hockey. She'd played through high school and college, and knew the Minnesota hockey scene inside and out.

That knowledge came in handy when one CBS producer revealed he'd played for Edina High School, a Minnesota prep hockey powerhouse. "As someone from Minnesota, I had to chirp him about it," Erickson said.

She spent the rest of the interview good-naturedly roasting the producer while showcasing her personality. That genuine connection, she believes, sealed her spot on the show.

Erickson went on to make Survivor history as the first openly autistic contestant to reach the final three. Her honest gameplay and emotional depth captivated audiences throughout the season, even though she narrowly lost the final vote.

The Ripple Effect

Erickson's Survivor journey opened doors beyond the game. She now partners with KultureCity, a nonprofit that trains venue staff and certifies sensory-inclusive spaces for people with autism and other disabilities.

Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, home of the Red Wings, earned KultureCity's Sensory Inclusive Venue of the Year award in 2021. The arena provides free sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and verbal cue cards, plus a quiet sensory room for guests who need a break.

Erickson now travels the country visiting and promoting NHL arenas that have earned KultureCity certification. Red Wings fans might spot her at a Detroit game soon, wearing that lucky vintage shirt.

"I owe that Red Wings shirt a thank you," she said. "It helped start the conversation that helped me show my personality."