Danger! champion Grant DeYoung reveals medical reason for sitting in a chair during the game after second victory

DANGER! contestant Grant DeYoung scored a big second win on Thursday night, earning a total of $46,400 and rare praise from Ken Jennings.

Grant, who defeated Elizabeth Brzozowski and Chen Yan in an all-out escape, revealed on social media why he asked to sit down.

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After narrowly defeating three-day champion Will Stewart in the last episode, the supermarket clerk from Prescott, Arizona, came back with a vengeance.

In danger! round, Grant fell to zero after a risky $4,000 Daily Double bet.

He quickly recovered to $3,000 with 13 correct answers in total, while Chen had $2,800 and Elizabeth led with $3,600.

On Double Jeopardy!, Grant burst into tears, correctly answering both Daily Doubles for $5,000 and $6,000 each.

In Final Jeopardy, he had an insurmountable lead with $20,800, while Chen had $9,600 and Elizabeth had $2,400.

The “early 20th century” clue read: “Before entering the story, this man visited the grave of Bogdan Zerajic, who had died a few years earlier.”

Only Grant correctly answered “Gavrilo Princip” and, with a $0 bet, secured a two-day victory that Ken called “very respectable.”

‘STAYING IS VERY DIFFICULT’

Fans took to social media impressed by the big win, but some couldn’t help but question why he competed sitting in a chair instead of standing.

During the game, Grant sat in a black swivel chair with silver arms and full back support, adjusted to the same height as his standing opponents.

“Is Grant in a chair?” one user X scoffed during the episode.

“So Grant is sitting #jeopardy I thought so, just BEFORE he jumped into the seat,” wrote another.

“Why do some competitors sit on chairs and others stand? Just out of curiosity, no complaints,” asked another Redditor.

Grant responded on Reddit, sharing that he has “arthritis in his back,” and the producers gave him a chair so he could perform to the best of his ability.

“They give it if you ask,” he wrote.

“I have arthritis in my back which makes it very difficult to sit still for so long.

“I wouldn’t expect every Jeopardy! contestant to reveal why they need one, but I don’t mind saying mine.”

Fans further appreciated the heartfelt explanation and his victory, with another writing: “Congratulations on your performance, Grant!”

Other Redditors wrote: “I love seeing Grant hit his stride. I feel like he’s a lot more polished today (except DD1). Cool FJ, I got stuck on Archduke Franz Ferdinand.”

Another added: “I hope he’s one of the rare ones who makes it to five games!”

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‘SITTING IS ABSOLUTELY AN OPTION’

Although contestants rarely participate in the game show, fans may remember 2024 Tournament of Champions finalist Troy Meyer sitting in on their games.

Although players owe no one an explanation, Jeopardy! bosses have talked about letting competitors sit in 2023.

“Please know that any contestant has the opportunity to have a seat at any time.”

“We would never make people stand, and you will see in the coming weeks that we had a contestant who chose to sit,” the superiors explained.

Referring to Troy, they said, “After the presentation, they felt like this could be a better opportunity for them.

“We’re not saying no, you have to stand up and play, we want you to play at your best.

Sitting is absolutely an option.”

‘HIT AND RUN’

Grant instantly caught fans’ attention with a whirlwind Q&A story about a car accident during his first win.

He revealed that he was hit by a car at the exact moment he found out he had joined the iconic quiz show.

Grant shared this on the right when he received the text confirming the big news – a car hit him on the road.

“I left work, got in the car, picked up my phone and it was sinking.

“I’m on the verge of tears looking at this, I got hit and ran away.”

Ken was surprised: “’A car hit you while you were getting the message?’

Grant said he was so excited by the news that he didn’t even notice.

“Yes,” he replied, adding, “And I didn’t even realize it because I was, you know, engrossed in getting the text.”

“There were people coming up to me after [saying], ‘Are you aware that your car was just hit?’ and I said ‘No’ by holding my phone and looking at the message.”

Ken then asked if he was okay.

“The car needs some work, but I’m fine, thanks,” Grant replied.

“Grant can buy a new car!” a user X was happy at the time.

“Grant already won the Best in Show award for that wonderful hair,” joked another.

A third wrote: “Well, even after taxes, even the #Jeopardy money from third place will help cover any expenses Grant has for that car.”

Clearly, he is more than fine, as he has two big wins and maybe counting.

Grant will face two new opponents to try for his third victory in Friday’s episode.

Danger! airs at 7pm ET on ABC – check your local listings.

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