With Danny and Evan TV exclusive ‘Special Forces’ instructor ‘livid’ over LeSean ‘Shady’ McCoy’s Season 5 exit: ‘You stole money from us’ By Samantha Nungesser Published Oct. 1, 2026, 10:00 p.m. ET “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” instructor Jovon “Q” Quarles is sounding off on LeSean “Shady” McCoy following his sudden exit from Season 5.
“He straight pissed me off,” Quarles, a former NAVY SEAL, told Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea,” noting that he “lost so much respect” for the ex-NFL running back.
In Thursday night’s episode of “Special Forces,” McCoy voluntarily withdrew from the course after less than 24 hours, citing his frustrations about the mosquitoes and the makeshift outdoor bathroom.
As we know, celebrity recruits who sign up for “Special Forces” receive the same amount of pay — no matter how long they last on the course.
Because of that, Quarles said he felt that McCoy only came for his paycheck, claiming the two-time Super Bowl champion “stole” from him and the rest of the directing staff, who put their own blood, sweat and tears into designing the different challenges.
“For you to come out here for less than 24 hours and quit when nothing happened to you, nothing was wrong with you, everything was good to go and you were so jovial about it? I feel like you stole from us,” Quarles said. “You stole money from us.”
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“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” puts a group of celebrity recruits through the rigorous Special Forces selection process, led by real-life former military operatives like Quarles.
“When you come on the show, make some effort, give us something, show us something or don’t come out,” he said. “We don’t need you. There are other people who want to get out there and challenge themselves.”
Quarles explained that “Special Forces” is about more than the physical challenges, noting that it’s about “teaching people something” about themselves.
He said McCoy’s exit shortly after waking up on their second day in the jungle was the “first time” he’s ever seen someone quit unprompted.
“When someone does something that stupid, or that selfish, I’m like, ‘Oh, get out of here. Done,'” Quarles told us. “I haven’t talked to him since the show.”
“I think he’s the only one I haven’t spoken to since filming,” he continued, “and I’m cool with that.”
“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.
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