Bucks County Native Appearing On Season 44 Of "Survivor"

NEWTOWN, PA — Brandon Cottom, a 30 year old account manager and former professional football player from Newtown, is appearing on the 44th season of the popular hit reality show, "Survivor," airing nationally on the CBS Network.

The show, set in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji, follows 18 determined new castaways who have been stranded on an island and divided into three tribes of six and forced to form a new society as they adopt to their physical and social surroundings.

A series of mental and physical challenges force players to choose between personal risk and reward, while still navigating the complex social game and attempting to forge alliances to last another day.

The series was filmed from June 5 to 30, 2022 and premiered on March 1.

In his "Survivor" introduction filmed at the beginning of the competition, Cottom said he has what it takes to survive and win the $1 million prize.

"I'm mentally tough and I'm physically strong," said the former NFL player who spent a number of seasons with the Seattle Seahawks under legendary head coach Pete Carroll from 2015 to 2018. Before joining the Seahawks, he played college football with Purdue.

The Council Rock High School North graduate, who considers himself a jack-of-all-trades, enjoys playing the piano, doing magic tricks and taking off into the wild blue yonder as a pilot.

Cottom said he believes his biggest assets on the island will be winning the challenges and boosting morale. "I'm a very positive person and positivity can be very contagious," he said.

"Their first impressions will be 'This is a big guy. He's probably an athlete. But once they get to know me they'll see I'm fun to be around. I like to have fun. I'm ready to see if Survivor is ready for me."

Episode two of "Survivor" airs nationally on the CBS Television Network on Wednesday, March 8 beginning at 8 p.m.