Brandon Burlsworth was the former All-American offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks. ( Marty Burlsworth ) From left to right, Brandon Burlsworth, Grant Garrett and Russ Brown pose for a picture in 1997. Faith, Trust and Character: The Life and Legacy of Brandon Burlsworth When I told him to come at me full force to demonstrate my lesson about blocking, Brandon knocked me flat on my back, leaving me dazed for several seconds.". Fifteen years. So sad, so much promise, such a terrific person. Brandon had always dreamed of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but was considered too short and too fat to play Division I. Undeterred, Brandon took a big risk and walked on in 1994. . Brandon Burlsworth went from freshman walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas before being the Colts' third-round pick in 1999. #OvercomingTheOddsParalympian Scout Bassett embraces her story of scars, survival ESPN https://t.co/HHMSCULYIU, Lillian Jackson (@diamondlil1016) August 29, 2019, Friends, I spent the day with Arsenals Gunnersaurus Rex. Freshmen bring people together with Bison El Puente celebrates National Hispanic Heritage University executes new check-in procedures for Harding students from Florida react to Harding students to participate in business ASI kicks off distinguished lecture series University centers Lectureship around Christ and Q&A with Lisa Williams, ambassador for University celebrates Williams inauguration, Songwriting contest ends in recording workshop. "I thought it would soften the blow because there was going to be a ceremony on opening day where our family would get a framed jersey," said Marty. "Brandon hadn't been around the NFL so as a close family, we were going to live it with him. Q: What message do you want fans to take from this movie? Burlsworth was a walk-on offensive lineman at the University of Arkansas who, throughout his career at Arkansas, went from being a red-shirt out-of-shape freshman to a player that the Indianapolis Colts would draft. He declined both, insisting instead on joining the Razorbacks as a walk-on. He had worked so hard and everything was in line to make his dreams come true. Hewalked on at Arkansas in 1994 after having zero FBS scholarship offers and eventually became team captain and a two-time All-SEC pick. Why did he have to die when he had everything to live for? Surely, UT head coach Phillip Fulmer called the shots given his background. Letters - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com He never got there, dying in. The foundation also runs football camps and presents several awards and scholarships. His life and career, however, ended in tragedy rather than triumph. 22, who died Wednesday in an automobile accident. Secure the best seats & best benefits for next season, and be there live for exciting matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and more of the NFL's best opponents. During their time of struggle, they came up with the idea for the foundation. Eleven days after being drafted, Brandon is killed when he is hit head-on by a tractor trailer. Brandon always had a huge heart for kids. His foundation serves about 2,400 children annually through an Eyeglass program in conjunction with Walmart Optical (a long-visioned Brandon famously would hoard his per diem on football trips to buy Walmart stock). Brandon was on his way home from the university of arkansas to pick up his mother and attend church when the accident happened 11. Barbara and Marty came to training camp in advance of the Buffalo opener. If Arkansas could just run the clock and punt the ball deep, theyd likely upset the top-ranked Vols in Neyland Stadium. He loved the kids, Marty Burlsworth said. After his two weeks in Indianapolis, Brandon flew home on April 18, 1999, a Sunday. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on-coming lane. Two collisions followed, and the life of a wonderful human with vast talents was over. I never lost my faith and that first night, after everyone had gone home, I grabbed my wife and my moms hand and we prayed. After Burslworths death, those close to him created the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation; according to the foundations website, the Christian organizations mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those who have limited opportunities. You cant control it, Ratliff said. Brandon Burlsworth died from a car accident just eleven days after being drafted. Brandon Burlsworth excelled in high school football, making All-Conference and All-State. Do it the right way when no one else is looking. Do it the Burls way: Have character. COLTS DRAFT PICK DIES IN CAR CRASH - Chicago Tribune MB: Shortly after the accident, we got a call from a national magazine. I remember Al on the sideline screaming at us and telling us, We cant lose to Arkansas, Ratliff said. Burlsworth was so much about the right stuff that his dorm bed never was unmade. With a 3.4 grade point average, he earned bachelor's (marketing management) and master's (business administration) degrees at Arkansas before playing his final game. That says it all. That Burlsworth was in the accident was completely like the unselfish person who established a cult following while a Razorback. Burlsworth ran a 40-yard touchdown in 4.88 seconds during the combine, more than any other player. You want to just tell the story as if no one had ever heard it before. Mudd was among the club's personnel who knew Burlsworth the best. A week after the draft, others got a glimpse of the player who drew visible comparisons to TV's Drew Carey. A UT win would mean the Vols national title hopes would stay alive. He inspires people. As the mind flashes back 15 years ago, the accident remains just as tragic. The life of a tremendous human being was ended. That is an incalculable loss. INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts on Sunday remembered Brandon Burlsworth, the team's third-round draft pick who died in a traffic crash before he could take his place in their offensive line. The comment about the carving is true, but the imagery of the piece is a little deeper. Unfortunately, Brandon was tragically killed in a head-on automobile collision just 11 days after the draft. There were times when he was almost late to games because he would never turn a kid down for an autograph or anything.. I think the movie speaks to people in many different ways, Reindl said. Told he wasn't good enough to play Division I football, Brandon Burlsworth took a risk and walked on in 1994, and he became the most respected player in the history of the program. When the 1999 NFL draft rolled around, the Indianapolis Colts made the linemans dreams a reality and selected him with the 63rd-overall pick. It was meant to be.. After working 11 years on his Brandon Burlsworth biopic Greater, Reindl is within days of seeing his dream project open on 400 to 450 screens across the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest next week.. Burlsworth was an All-American football player for the University of Arkansas, who died tragically in an automobile . Think about how much it must have hurt Russell to keep this secret, and how much he's risking by coming out now while trying to revive his NFL career. Our Team | Brandon Burlsworth Foundation - The BBF Burlsworth, who began his college career as a pudgy walk-on and became a standout offensive lineman for the Razorbacks, was killed in a traffic accident April 28 while driving from the campus. Burlsworth's death on April 28, only 11 days after the Indianapolis Colts took him in the third round of the NFL draft, left people in Arkansas in shock and asking questions that will remain. Brandon Burlsworth was in a car accident and was announced dead at the scene on April 28, 1999. Carrolton (AP) - Former Arkansas offensive guard BRANDON BURLSWORTH died in a car crash as he headed home to Harrison from Fayetteville, officials said. ET on ESPN from Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas. Brandon's vehicle collided with an oncoming 18-wheeler, forcing him to re-enter his lane. Burlsworth was killed in a traffic accident last wednesday as he drove from working out at the university of arkansas in fayetteville to his home in harrison a city of about 11000. Marty Burlsworth said his brother always remembered where he came from and wanted to help kids in similar situations to his. Burlsworth eulogized as `special' - Tulsa World Tee came off the field and Billy told him, Hey man, dont put your helmet away. Both press conferences will be streamed live on Colts.com, the Colts mobile app, @Colts on Twitter and the Colts Facebook page. A dream shattered by tragedy - Tulsa World He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and 11 days later was tragically killed in. "We attended the First Assembly in Harrison and Brandon was always there, starting at about 10 years old. 172.104.178.68 This is incredible. When relatively healthy, Ratliff showed he had elite talent. Greater misses key fact - Arkansas Online Brandon was a walk on turned All American at the University of Arkansas. Q: Brandons life seemed to have incredible highs and lows. "I just thought it was a devastatingly tragic story but also an died in a car crash 11 days after . With a chance to be Harrison's first full-time resident to make a professional sport, brother and agent Marty remembers draft day. They award eighteen $5,000 academic scholarships, and one $10,000 Walk-0n athletic scholarship each year. Suddenly, the Vols had the ball in Arkansas territory with time to mount a more conventional drive. It was one of those games where we always thought we were going to win, Ratliff said. Even though the linemans life and career ended in tragedy, hes still managing to make an impact more than 20 years later. Who is Brandon Burlsworth? What's the cause of his death? - GhBasecom Burlsworth died in a car accident on April 28, 1999, and his story of faith and conviction has been gaining recognition in recent years due to various programs and a new biopic called "Greater.". Billy Ratliff was right next to me, Wilson said. FAYETTEVILLE There is a great . Its namesake was an Arkansas offensive lineman from 1995 to 1998. The movie really addressed the question of why bad things happen to good people, Hansen said. "At Arkansas the coaches told him one day his legs could be stronger. Well, he ends up squatting 700 pounds.". Brandon Burlsworth Rose From Walk-On To All-American - Sportscasting Email him at [emailprotected], Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. The youth center in Harrison, Arkansas . Justin Herbert set an NFL rookie record with 31 passing touchdowns in 2020, when Shane Steichen was his offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers. Two collisions followed, and the life of a wonderful human with vast talents was over., Jerry Jones Had a Number of Hall of Fame Teammates and Coaches at Arkansas, Including Jimmy Johnson. brandon burlsworth foundation to honor stephens inc. kevin scanlon with legends award Tice said he also called then-Hog head coach Danny Ford and asked him to take a look at Brandon. Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. His brother, Marty, and their mother, Barbara, met him at the airport in Springfield. "We were in need of finding a guard to shore up the line. We were impressed with the "guy with the horned-rimmed glasses that looked like Drew Carey." Brandon Burlsworth death scene What was Brandon Burlsworth's death scene like? I, for one, didnt know about it, and anyone Ive talked about it with didnt either, so I dont think you try to get too outside the box in your thinking. And I just thought it was a devastatingly tragic story but also an inspiring one., Watch the story behind GREATER. He just never sought the limelight. There is some footage of the real Brandon after the last credits. We support responsible gambling. The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. The play was unpredictable, right? Every national championship team that ever played college football has to have a little luck sometime. State police Cpl. I was high as a kite. The more the "farmer" talked to Marty about faith and religion and making him doubt the more detailed it became. Cutcliffe called on Henry five consecutive times. ", Tammy and Danny Roth of Harrison were friends of the Burlsworths. Stoerner tried to balance himself with right hand. ", "He literally kept his goal focused right behind his nose through his college career.". "He always said there would be time for girls later, but he had things he needed to accomplish first," said his mother, Barbara Burlsworth, a Harrison Realtor. Named an All-American in 1998, he was drafted in 1999 by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round 11 days before being killed in a vehicular accident. He whipped my butt that whole game, Ratliff said. Tee came off the field and Billy told him, Hey man, dont put your helmet away. We are very happy with the way it turned out. Published: Wednesday, August 24, 2016. Coach Tice: You know, football's a rough game; it's unpredictable. The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier in the wake of gaining first-group All-America respects as a fifth-year senior, was involved with a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer around 15 miles outside Harrison and was killed. He died in a car crash on april 28 1999 shortly after he was drafted by the nfls indianapolis colts. Aaron Burlsworths parents, Marty and Vickie Burlsworth, are in charge of the foundation and its numerous roles from taking kids in poor financial situations to games to getting them quality eye care. However, he was killedin an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. Your IP: Brandon Burlsworth - Football Players, Family and Childhood His truck then collided with another tractor-trailer. "There are people in the organization we feel close to. I'm still asked by people in Harrison about the Colts, and I tell them about our close relationship to this day. Arkansas is impressed with the Colts, no doubt about that.". Mens cross-country places 11th at regional Christmas Market features student-owned businesses. "The connection with the Colts now is just what we want it to be. It's almost like it was at Arkansas," said Marty. "When you go on their campus, it feels like family because we know so many people. It feels that way with the Colts. Id never heard it before. Said Fulmer, Anybody that loves football would love that. I tell people all the time that if I was still in the game when that happened, we probably would have lost because I just didnt have it in the tank right then, Coleman said. The program provides free exams and glasses for up to 1,000 preschool-through-12th grade students in Arkansas, and there are plans to take it nationwide. "No problem, I'm used to it," quipped Burlsworth, who popped the lens of his eyeglasses out and smiled away. | GREATER Movie LOS ANGELES (Christian Examiner) - GREATER, a new film about the inspiring story of Christian football player Brandon Burlsworth, who shot from walk-on at the University of Arkansas to a NFL draftee, will hit theaters this summer. Phillip was saying Weve got to throw it. We had never had a problem with anybody in the SEC but Florida. Burlsworth died in a car accident on April 28, 1999, and his story of faith and conviction has been gaining recognition in recent years due to various programs and a new biopic called Greater.. Steichen's creativity and flexibility shined when the Eagles came to Indianapolis in Week 11 of the 2022 season. "We got to know a lot of Colts personnel at training camp. Through the years, we have stayed close.". (Zac Budman/ESPN), The Burlsworth Award trophy (Zac Budman/ESPN), Ruettiger, the famed former Notre Dame football walk-on], ESPN Producer Michelle Rosenhouse Makes the Most of Memorable Moments, Journalism Showcase: SC Featured Highlights Cheyney States Remarkable 1982 Womens Basketball Team, Inside ESPN Marketings XFL Spot Bring It In, Journalism Showcase: SportsCenter Reporter Dives Into Growth of Girls Youth Flag Football. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. In this 1999 photo, the locker of Brandon Burlsworth is seen encased in glass in the locker room at the University of Arkansas. There was only one problem. Brandon burlsworth was the former all american offensive lineman for the arkansas razorbacks. His heart weighed a good part of that. "If God ever made the perfect person, it was that guy," said then teammate Sacha Lancaster to Sport Illustrated. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South. The foundation encourages a strong faith, character, and sportsmanship, developing positive values, and a life pattern that would exemplify Doing It The Burls Way.. At the end of summer, he weighed 311 pounds, yet the draft hopeful could dunk a basketball with both hands from a standing start. Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. Brandon burlsworth accident report BURLSWORTH KILLED IN CRASH. Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. It was apparently a shocker to a few of the reviewers here, but Greater includes some Christian themes in it. As UTs defense tried to hold on, quarterback Tee Martin and UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe were devising a drive in which theyd have very little time left if they got the ball back at all. ESPN NHL Production Coordinator Camille Bova Does it All for the 2023 NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh, N.C. In Anticipation Of UFC 285 On ESPN+ PPV Saturday, Four Experts Weighed In, ESPNs Renewal Of Three-Year Formula 1 Deal Is Off To A Roaring Start, Starting Five: NBA Today and NBA Countdowns Malika Andrews. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on coming lane. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. After all, UT needed a pass interference penalty to beat Syracuse and were outgained by Florida but still beat the Gators. For fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Burlsworth has been a household name for years. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports. Sports betting in Tennessee officially launched on November 1, 2020, and many of the largest sportsbooks are live and operating in the volunteer state. He went to Harrison High School and graduated from there. Hate to see Desir be the victim lol. Sow with thought, you reap in action. Thats the way I went about it.. Scanlon will be the 14 th recipient of the award, the first being awarded in 2010 to Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt.. A 2-year letterman for the Razorbacks, Kevin . Once his chance, though, Burlsworth seized his opportunity. It became clear that this was a story that would resonate far beyond the state boundaries. MB: We want them to know that bad things can and will happen. The game was essentially over, as were Tennessees national championship hopes. "The common . When he got to Arkansas as a walk-on, he knew that he had to put everything he had into it and more. Among UT fans, his name is synonymous with the Arkansas fumble and what it meant to UTs 1998 season. Brandon, Marty's younger brother by 16 years, was tragically killed in an auto accident on April 28, 1999 .
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