‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Mike Dawson Reveals Sad Personal News After Defeat
Recent Jeopardy! champion Mike Dawson saw his three-day winning streak come to an end on Wednesday night (April 9), and, unfortunately, the bad news didn’t stop there.
Dawson, a 6’7 technology manager from Portland, Oregon, amassed $57,000 across his first three games, but it all came crashing down on Wednesday’s episode. The fan favorite was knocked off the winner’s podium by Andrew Hayes, a law student originally from Tupelo, Mississippi, and finished the episode with just $2.
After the episode aired, Dawson took to the Jeopardy! Reddit forum to share his thoughts on his experience and also revealed some sad news regarding his job status.
“Well, it was fun while it lasted! Big congrats to Andrew for being lightning-fast with the buzzer and extremely strong in a wide variety of topics. Hats off to Courtney [Martin] for being the only one to get a tough Final Jeopardy clue!” Dawson wrote.
He continued, “Getting on Jeopardy was an 18 year journey for me, but in the end, it couldn’t have come at a better time. My occupation for the show was listed as “Technology Manager,” but as Anise [K. Strong-Morse, a fellow contestant] alluded to in her post yesterday, there’s much more to the story than that.”
Dawson explained he’d been “working in tech-focused roles for international nonprofits in the aid and development sector for more than a decade, when just a few weeks before taping, my job and the jobs of thousands of my then-current and former colleagues all disappeared overnight with the elimination of USAID.”
The Jeopardy! contestant was referring to the cuts made by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which, in February, ended nearly 10,000 USAID and State Department contracts and grants.
“I’ll forgo getting into the politics of it all, despite the sudden loss of my career being inherently political, but I’m incredibly grateful to have my Jeopardy winnings to help carry me through this transitionary period,” Dawson added.
He concluded his post by writing, “If anyone has any leads on remote opportunities for internationally-focused roles of all kinds and/or managerial roles related to cybersecurity, feel free to reach out! Thanks again to the Jeopardy community for all the support as I finally got to achieve this lifelong dream.”
Fans replied to Dawson’s post with support, with one commenter writing, “Mike, you’re a great player and you seemed so calm during your run and looked like you were having a good time! I think you’re going to do well in Champions Wildcard. Hoping that everything works out for you!”
“I enjoyed your run on Jeopardy and I am distressed at your current position in life. I wish you all the best!” said another.
Another added, “From a Fed currently mired in all this as well, my deepest condolences, and congrats on your spectacular play despite the circumstances. At least you’ll have something great to put on your resume!”
“Wishing you the best of luck! Thank you for all the work you’ve done to make the lives of so many people better,” wrote one commenter.
Former Jeopardy! contestant Josh Weikert added, “Great watching you play, Mike, and I’ll keep my ears open for opportunities. I work in government and my wife and I both have a lot of exposure/networking in international education programs/organizations.”
“Aw im heartbroken for you Mike- you were incredible and so fascinating to watch,” wrote another.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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Trump sucks top to bottom.
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You just jelly, right re-lib-tard?
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Trump tells the truth..
Not his fault it’s not Trump’s fault. This mess was made. He’s trying to get it cleaned up.
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Did you say u wanted to suck trumps what
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Mike, I watched you play and you’re a very good person. I feel with one door closing a new one and a better one will open for you. It is unconscionable that our govt chose to shutdown an agency that has done so much to help those in need! Stay strong and I am confident you will find a bigger better job in the very near future!! Take care !
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I hope Mike Dawson makes it through the other side with flying colors!
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Good Luck, Really Enjoyed Your Game Play.
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I have been played off twice.The first time my Daughter was a senior in high school.Second time I was 62 years old.And my job title was being fazed out.Both times were very challenging. But I found another job and retired at 70 years old.You will find something.You helped people in need.That will be your reward.I meant layed off, sorry.
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Mike….if you’re looking for a job…check out “Collins Aerospace”…they have multiple jobs you maybe interested in..good luck to you…
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Good guys finish first. Wishing you the best of luck.You are a great Jeopardy champion!
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All the best to you.
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Phuq Donald Trump
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I like the way you spelled that first word!
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Best of luck. I hope you get a good job soon. You have a great mind and anyone who hires you are getting a treasure.
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Mike,
I enjoyed watching you and really was hoping you’d continue. I hope your future is bright and you’re able to find the perfect job! Good luck!!!
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I'm so sorry to hear that Mike, unfortunately I'm in Canada and retired, so I'm of no use....GOOD LUCK and hang in there ☺️☺️
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Scammer
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I really respect this article but I feel like the title should read, instead of “sad personal note”, should read “has been affected by the DOGE cuts of USAID”.
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I hope he is chosen to participate in the Second Chance tournament.
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Jeopardy is such a hard game and I applaud your intelligence good sir.
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People who think elon is a genius and trump is a smart business man, that's who.
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BS! What are you doing for 13,000 per month part-time?
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You don't seem to be aware of the vast waste found in this agency...
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Sorry you were laid off. Bur when I saw the stuff that USAID was funding it sickened me. The federal government is spending 2 trillion more than what it's bringing in. It's unsustainable!
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I just wonder if he voted for trumpy and if he did he got what he deserved!!!
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Glad Trump shut the agency down. Waste waste waste!
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USAID was funding ridiculous and unnecessary things with the money they took from us. Stole from us. Look up what it funded. Thank God for DOGE AND OUR PRESIDENT. waa waa. Find a new job
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Boo hoo
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Oh, boo hoo..cry me a river, baby.
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I think he should have gone back to his job!!! Just because of covid it did not make his job remote forever! Go to work!
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His job doesn't exist anymore
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Wel, duh, find a new one instead of whining about it!
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Well duh, easier said than done.
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I think if all this people had not been home getting paid and not working he and others would still have a job. To all of us who showed up in person and worked before, during and still in person during COVID had to go to work then everyone should have shown up, if there is a real job he will still have a job. Enough of this junk
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You...are...clueless!
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There's the pot calling the kettle black!
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Layoffs happen in the private sector, he should not be upset, now he knows what non Federal employees are subjected to.
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10,000+ people all being FIRED at once by a couple of MALEVOLENT FOOLS do not happen all the time...the private sector is NOT 'subjected to' this kind cruelty!
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Fools like the libtards? Fools like you, who votes for fools?
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People who like red hats?
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Still would feel bad for him if he got laid off in the private sector. Have a heart man. Or did you take the whole empathy is bad thing seriously.
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Civil service work is different from private sector jobs and your lack of compassion and empathy, demonstrates your lack of understanding the difference between private industry and government agencies.
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