Rob Mariano Reveals Why He Turned Down a Spot on Survivor Season 50: ‘Don’t Be Mad’

Rob Mariano, better known by Survivor fans as Boston Rob, is revealing why he isn’t part of the season 50 cast.

Mariano, who won Survivor: Redemption Island (season 22), took to Instagram on Friday, May 30, to share a message to fans who were upset not to see his name among the returning players competing on the show’s upcoming milestone season.

“Wow!!! I got all of your DM’s and messages so so many thank you all!!” he wrote, urging his followers not to be mad at the show or host Jeff Probst.

Mariano revealed he was “called and asked” early on by production, but he ultimately turned down the opportunity.

“I just felt like I have played so many times and I am truly fulfilled with my Survivor Journey,” he explained. “I wanted my spot to go to someone else that deserved another chance!”

Mariano is the first contestant to compete on the show five times, having done so in Survivor: Marquesas (season 4), Survivor: All-Stars (season 8), Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (season 20) and Survivor: Winners at War (season 40) — alongside wife Amber Mariano — in addition to his aforementioned winning season. He also served as a mentor on Survivor: Island of the Idols (season 39).

“I’ve gotten so much out of Survivor,” Mariano continued, adding that “it will always be a part of who I am!”

The reality TV star — who has also competed on Deal or No Deal Island and The Traitors — said he’s “eternally grateful,” ending his post with a cryptic tease that he feels “like something good is coming.”

Just last month, Mariano exclusively told PEOPLE he doesn’t see himself returning to competitive reality TV.

“At this point, I’m kind of just hanging out,” he said. “I don’t have a desire to go back and compete in that realm right now. I’m going to take a little break, the kids are off for the summer.”

Mariano shares four daughters with his wife Amber, who first competed on Survivor: The Australian Outback (season 2) and won Survivor: All-Stars (season 8) before joining her husband on Winners at War (season 40).

The couple also competed together on two seasons of The Amazing Race.

Probst announced the cast of Survivor season 50 on CBS Mornings on Wednesday, May 28.

Among the returning players are two contestants who now match Mariano’s record of playing five times: Cirie Fields and Ozzy Lusth. The cast also includes Jenna Lewis-Doughtery from the show’s first season (Survivor: Borneo) and two yet-to-be-announced players from season 49, airing this fall.