Jeopardy! Champ Reveals Why He Missed Out on Titanic Submersible Tour
This week, the news cycle was dominated by reports of the OceanGate submersible, which went missing during an excursion to see the Titanic wreckage. While many held out hope that the five people onboard would be found alive, on June 22, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that the vessel had suffered a “catastrophic implosion,” and all passengers had been killed. In light of the news, a clip from a May episode of the Jeopardy! Masters tournament has gone viral, as former champ and fan favorite Sam Buttrey revealed that he was actually supposed to go on a Titanic submersible tour. Read on to find out why Buttrey missed out.
Sam Buttrey's Missed Opportunity
In a clip from the Jeopardy! episode, Buttrey, who became the first-ever Jeopardy! Professors Tournament champ in 2021, was asked by host Ken Jennings about his “nautical story.” Buttrey shared that he had plans to go see the Titanic wreckage. “That's right, KJ. I have a friend who operates a company that will take you out to the wreck of the Titanic. So you go out in a boat, and then you go down in a submersible craft and tour the wreckage,” Buttrey explained. However, due to a “miracle of bad timing,” he couldn't make it because his son's wedding was on the same weekend. Buttrey expressed his happiness about attending the wedding and had no regrets about missing out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Unsettling Timing
The amusing anecdote shared by Buttrey during the show now feels unsettled considering the recent tragic incident. BuzzFeed reports that Buttrey's timing meant he wasn't going to be on the ill-fated OceanGate submersible, but it's highly likely that he had planned a similar tour by the same company. Fans expressed relief on TikTok and Twitter, jokingly commenting on Buttrey dodging a bullet by not being on one of the vessels. The conversation surrounding his missed opportunity has resurfaced due to the recent news, with many acknowledging the fortunate timing for the Jeopardy! icon.
Social Media Reactions
On Twitter, one user shared a TikTok clip and commented, “In light of recent events, I think it's for the best that he missed out.” Fans on TikTok also came forward to express their relief that Buttrey had not been on the ill-fated submersible. One commenter even jokingly referred to Steve Martin, who bears a strong resemblance to Buttrey, calling him a national treasure. While the anecdote may have been lighthearted at the time, the recent turn of events has made it all the more significant.
Summary
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