Bootie Cothran is a media coordinator who first competed in American Ninja Warrior 5 in Miami.
Bootie lives in Possum Kingdom, South Carolina inside his cabin. He trains outside and hunts for his food. At 106 lbs, Bootie is one of the lightest male competitors in ANW.
American Ninja Warrior 5[]
In his rookie season, he competed in Miami. His actual run was shown in a brief montage, but it was revealed that he failed the Slider Jump.
This was shown on broadcast during the National Finals of American Ninja Warrior 10, but he also revealed this on his ANW 7 submission tape.
American Ninja Warrior 7[]
He returned in American Ninja Warrior 7 in Orlando where he was the first runner shown on braodcast. He winded up failing the dismount on the Paddle Boards.
American Ninja Warrior 8[]
He returned for American Ninja Warrior 8 in Atlanta, where he was the third runner shown on broadcast. He went out in qualifying again on the Pipe Fitter, when he was going backwards and didn't get a good grip on the final pipe, plummeting into the water.
American Ninja Warrior 9[]
In American Ninja Warrior 9 in Daytona Beach where he failed the Rolling Thunder when he tried to do an early dismount. He did make it to the finals in 22nd place, meaning he advanced to the semifinals for the first time.
In the city finals his run was digested, but he went out on the Rolling Thunder again when his hand hit the plexiglas and he fell, ending his season in the semifinals.
American Ninja Warrior 10[]
Bootie Cothran at the Miami City Qualifiers - American Ninja Warrior 2018
He returned in American Ninja Warrior 10 in Miami as the first runner broadcasted once again. Bootie was determined to hit the buzzer after four previous seasons of failing to do so. Looking strong through all the obstacles, he was able to accomplish what he hoped to do after four previous seasons: finish the course. He consequently finished with the ninth fastest time, guaranteeing his second trip to the city finals.
In the city finals, he had another strong run as he made it through the first seven obstacles, but he ended up failing on the new Crazy Clocks. He placed 13th overall, and qualified for Vegas for the first time in his career.
In Vegas, Bootie needed an extra swing on Archer Alley, but he made it all the way to the Double Dipper before failing as he didn't get high to make it to the second bar. This was the best performance of his career.
American Ninja Warrior 11[]
He returned in ANW 11 once again competing in Atlanta. His run was digested, but he failed the Bouncing Spider in qualifying, not advancing for the semifinals this time.
American Ninja Warrior 12[]
Bootie returned to compete on ANW 12, competing in the third qualifier round. He was shown as the first runner of the night on the third episode. He put together a group of fellow southern competitors, which included Devin Harrelson and Ben Whitlow. Unfortunately, he fell at the second obstacle, the Lunatic Ledges, when he had a bad transition to the second ledge, prompting the host Matt Iseman to utter the phrase "Bootie got flushed on number two".
Before the season was altered, Bootie was originally called to compete in Washington D.C.[1]
American Ninja Warrior 13[]
Bootie competed in the third episode of qualifying. His run was digested, but on Split Decision, he chose to take on the Spinning Log. However, right when he was running, he twisted his left ankle, and ultimately tripped there. He failed to advance from qualifying for the third straight season.
American Ninja Warrior 16[]
Bootie competed in the last round of qualifying after missing the past two seasons. His run was digested, but he made a great save on Dangerous Waters but it was short lived as he later failed Duck Duck Goose and he once again did not moving onto the semifinals.
American Ninja Warrior 17[]
Bootie returned for his tenth and final season in the sixth round of qualifiers. At age 56, he was determined to make a good run despite being the oldest competitor to run in this qualifying round. He was the second runner of the night as well as the first time his run was shown since ANW10. He got his revenge on the Lunatic Ledges (which he failed on back in ANW12) making it all the way to the fifth obstacle, V Formation before falling, marking the first time since ANW 10 that he made it to at least the fifth obstacle. Unfortunately, his time to the obstacle wasn't fast enough for him to advance to the semifinals as he placed 22nd overall, ending his final season on the show.
Trivia[]
- Cothran is the second competitor in American Ninja Warrior history to finish any course as a first competitor of a night, doing so in American Ninja Warrior 10's Miami Qualifiers.
- In his ANW 7 submission video, he revealed that his birth name is Scott Brian Cothran, and that he received the name "Bootie" as a childhood nickname.