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. Although Brandon became a stickler for staying focused and doing things the right way, he also was a typically sloppy teenager until the 10th grade when Barbara told him if he was serious about going to college, "he'd better get his act together." Brandons goal growing up was to help underprivileged kids, Aaron Burlsworth said. Brandon was a guy who could have been from anywhere. "When Brandon showed up at the rookie camp, he was even better than I thought he'd be," said Mudd. This is a movie not just for football fans but for everyone. I kept thinking Someone needs to make a movie about this guy,' Reindl said. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. 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. "He loved the coaching staff and grew close to Coach Mudd immediately," said Marty. "Brandon felt very good about getting on the field and beginning the next step of his career. He knew he could be going against Bruce Smith on opening day. He was already getting ready for that challenge.". Sow with action, you reap a habit. MB: After we started receiving calls from Hollywood producers, we knew that if the story were told, we wanted it to be told in the most accurate way possible, understanding that its difficult to squeeze 15 years into two hours. Reindl went on to say that the 11 years spent making the movie were not about personal glory, but about telling a great story of faith and trust and how to apply them in everyday life. The struggles that he had gone through to get where he was were over. Brandon burlsworths first act as a wealthy nfl offensive tackle was going to be to buy himself a bigger. One of the most unusual aspects of the Arkansas fumble is that Ratliff shouldnt have been in the game at all. However, once Marty stopped listening to him it returned to less detail. 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Tice said he also called then-Hog head coach Danny Ford and asked him to take a look at Brandon. 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. Barbara and Marty came to training camp in advance of the Buffalo opener. Throughout his football career, Brandon Burlsworth never let adversity stop him from achieving his goals. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on coming lane. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on-coming lane, the write-up continued. Fate intervened. As of the 2020 census the population stood at 128. Among the past recipients: Cleveland Browns star and former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and Hunter Renfrow, a recent Clemson standout receiver now in his rookie year with the Oakland Raiders. Its namesake was an Arkansas offensive lineman from 1995 to 1998. He went to Harrison High School and graduated from there. He was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. If that offends you, then you probably wouldn't like this movie. He keeps getting knocked down and coming back.. He was drafted 59 spots after Edgerrin James and with the notion to help fortify an offense that already had young stars in Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning. 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. Ratliff continued playing football for the love of the game. The book, Eyes of a Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story, was delivered in 2001. Cover photo of Clint Stoerners fumble courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics. Billy was great. The now-retired Mudd could be forgiven if he could not remember Burlsworth vividly. Fifteen years. So sad, so much promise, such a terrific person. 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. For people unfamiliar with Brandons story, walk us through his development from your perspective. The fans respected him for starting out as a walk-on, working hard to become a three-year starter and finishing his career as an All-American. Literally. . Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. We dont know why, but we do know that we will see him again. On Friday, Aug. 26, the movie "GREATER" will be released in theaters. You can see through the movie that the way he lived his life and how his family reacted answers the question of what to do when these things happen.. Brandon burlsworth was the former all american offensive lineman for the arkansas razorbacks. 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. He whipped my butt that whole game, Ratliff said. "Then I turned around and the next player I faced was Brandon. The fundraising event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. He was a gentle giant with an instinct to win. https://t.co/Ny448gVZWB, A really cool story by @ADavidHaleJoint on @GeorgiaTechFBs @pharvin27 and his role as a groundbreaker and an inspiration to other young punters. We didnt really get a chance until the end of the game.. "He stayed around the house and left for Fayetteville on Tuesday," Vickie says. In fact, Ed, who works for FedEx in Harrison and has three children, even named his oldest son after Brandon. If it does not offend you, then you should enjoy it. If Billy Ratliff is still out here playing, whatever injury I have, it cant be that bad, Coleman said. Brandon burlsworth dies on arkansas highway after head on collision with tractor trailer. 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. The foundation encourages a strong faith, character, and sportsmanship, developing positive values, and a life pattern that would exemplify Doing It The Burls Way.. 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. . "He spent (Tuesday) night with Joe Dean Davenport." (Joe Dean later played for the Colts.) We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. Offensive lineman brandon burlsworth went from walk on to all american during his career at arkansas before dying in a car crash just after the 1999 nfl draft. He wanted to help underprivileged kids with his NFL money. brandon burlsworth car accident details, 47 Best Movies Images In 2019 Film Movie Movie Clock, 17 Best Divorce Board Images Divorce Divorce Lawyers This Or, 46 Best Inspiring People Images Looking Up Robyn Davidson, 14 Best Sports Images Arkansas Razorbacks Football Arkansas, 21 Best Elijah Oyefeso Pictures Images Elijah Pictures, 16 Best New Dvd S January 2017 Images Movie Tv New Movies, 26 3d Movie Prime Video Best Choice In 2020 Hd Movies Movies, 54 Best Christian Videos Streaming On Amazon Prime I Like Images. Cutcliffe called on Henry five consecutive times. Though Burlsworths story is not new, Budman felt that he should approach the story, with reporter Tom Rinaldi, as if every viewer was learning about it for the first time. '"I told him how much it would mean to them to receive that message from him.". Ratliff saw both luck and destiny in the play that would make him a Tennessee football folk hero. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident at age 22, 10 days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft. Sow with thought, you reap in action. All Martin had to do was hand the ball off to running back Travis Henry. There was only one problem. "I remember he was the first college lineman I looked at on video that year," said Howard Mudd, then the Colts' line coach and one of the game's best ever. Even though the linemans life and career ended in tragedy, hes still managing to make an impact more than 20 years later. It was a legendary drive for sure. Coach Tice: You know, football's a rough game; it's unpredictable. With a chance to be Harrison's first full-time resident to make a professional sport, brother and agent Marty remembers draft day. Brandon Burlsworth, NFL player. Accident investigators indicated that Burlsworth was trailing another semi-truck rig on the winding, two-lane highway toward Harrison when he veered left just slightly to check oncoming. 412 when he became involved in the crash with two tractor trailers officials said. 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. [3] But Arkansas was the dream. HEATHER NICHOLS, Everton, Ark. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. She agreed, and the night before Brandon's fatal accident, he sat with his mother at the dinner table to send the Roths a thank-you note. 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 to his family's home. ", "He literally kept his goal focused right behind his nose through his college career.". Brandon Burlsworth went from freshman walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas before being the Colts' third-round pick in 1999. 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 went after it without caution.". His name was Brandon Burlsworth, and a new movie in theaters this weekend - Greater (PG) - tells the incredible story of the chubby kid who wasn't recruited by any big-name colleges out of high school but proceeded to walk on with the home-state Arkansas Razorbacks, earn a scholarship, and become an All-American offensive lineman. The other producers couldnt guarantee just how accurate the depiction would be. I dont want to tell them what to walk away with I want to inspire them through this story.. Billy was great. They (Arkansas) did a good job of game-planning on us. Especially knowing the kid was getting ready to go on to the next chapter of his life and getting to the point where he was trying to help his family. Said Martin, It was really good for us as a team to win in the fashion we won. ET on ESPN from Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas. Im not sure what coach Nutt was thinking about, Ratliff said. It became clear that this was a story that would resonate far beyond the state boundaries. 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.". The Indianapolis Colts wore his initials, BB, on their helmets for the 1999 season. In The Walk-on, which airs Saturday, College GameDay celebrates the annual ceremony of a walk-on player being rewarded with a scholarship by looking back at Burlsworths impact at Arkansas 25 years ago. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. [2] Death Eleven days after being drafted, he was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas on his way back to his hometown of Harrison one night after a workout in Fayetteville. The Comfort Inn's scrolling marquee was simple, but also eerie: ``Remember Brandon Burlsworth,'' followed by the time and temperature. Brandon said, 'Yes, sir.' Hereof, what year did Brandon Burlsworth die? Family members have attended one home game annually to this day. Their affinity for the franchise has been a constant. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). Some called the Vols lucky after the Arkansas game. "We attended the First Assembly in Harrison and Brandon was always there, starting at about 10 years old. Anyone within earshot of Ratliff just moments before heard him call his shot. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident in 1999 after being drafted . He became very active in the youth group. Tragically, at the age of 22, 10 days after the draft, he was killed in a car accident on April 28th, 1999 while on his way home from the University of Arkansas to attend church with his mom. Today, The University of Arkansas has created an endowment in Brandon's name. The temperature was a balmy 77 degrees. That was Brandons example He could have thought of himself as a big star, but he was guided by his faith and love for his family., The Link Network is a product of the Department of Communication at Harding University. Billy Ratliff was right next to me, Wilson said. Ratliffs explosive push into the backfield caused Burlsworth to step on Stoerners foot. As recorded on the Colts official website, Burlsworth was driving home to Harrison, Arkansas in April 1999; he wanted to head home, have dinner with his mother, Barbara, and attend a Wednesday night church service. The lineman, however, would never arrive. But he loses that control over him and his faith is restored making the carving revert back. You can say that if you werent a part of it and you didnt see what I saw. 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. Surely, UT head coach Phillip Fulmer called the shots given his background. Brandon Burlsworth was killed in a car accident on April 28th, 1999 while driving back to his hometown when he was near Alpena, Arkansas he got involved in the accident and died on the spot. Ratliff and Burlsworth will always be linked by the Arkansas fumble. Brandon doesn't start out with all . This is incredible. A mother losing a child at that young age, it was tough. Brandon Burlsworth (as Chris Severio) Michael Parks Leo Burlsworth Nick Searcy The Farmer Peter Gray Lewis Coach Tice (as Peter Lewis) Fredric Lehne Coach Bender Texas Battle Anthony Lucas M.C. (Zac Budman/ESPN), Marty Burlsworth, brother of the late Brandon Burlsworth, is interviewed. 1. The youth center in Harrison, Arkansas . **CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE OF BRANDON BURLSWORTH IN 1999 ROOKIE CAMP**. I promise you that ball seemed like it was there for 5 or 6 seconds.. "I kept coming back to comparisons with Brandon. Burlsworth ran a 40-yard touchdown in 4.88 seconds during the combine, more than any other player. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports. He was on his way back to Harrison, his hometown, following a workout in Fayetteville. Before I leave the remarkable legacy of Harrison's Brandon Burlsworth and the film of his life called Greater, now showing in nearly 400 theaters across America, I want to share a few back-story . All-American ( 1998) 2 First-team All-SEC ( 1997, 1998) Arkansas Razorbacks No. As a part of the program, the Colts will hire a Dungy Fellow for the offense and the defense. Our opponents are set! That has to be the bittersweet part for Ratliff. MB: Our agreement was that the family could object if we felt something was not portrayed in the right manner. He was traveling to Harrison from Fayetteville to . brandon burlsworth foundation to honor stephens inc. kevin scanlon with legends award The accident came less than two weeks after the Colts selected him and shortly after he had participated in the team's minicamp where coaches tabbed him as a potential starter at guard. 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. About Saturday Down South | Ethics and Editorial Standards | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Other Conferences: Big Ten | ACC | Pac-12, "Billy Ratliff was right next to me. ( Marty Burlsworth ) From left to right, Brandon Burlsworth, Grant Garrett and Russ Brown pose for a picture in 1997. Coleman had seen the suffering Ratliff had been through. Q: What was the relationship like between your brother and folks from Arkansas? When Zac Budman was assigned to produce a feature for College GameDay Built by The Home Depot on the late Brandon Burlsworth, he did his research and learned the amazing and tragic story of the former Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman. For fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Burlsworth has been a household name for years. Once his chance, though, Burlsworth seized his opportunity. The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier after earning first-team All-America honors as a fifth-year senior, was involved in a head-on crash with a. The Vols finished the regular season by blasting Kentucky 59-21 and Vanderbilt 41-0. We support responsible gambling. My mom says that Brandons message comes through. Your IP: Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. Both press conferences will be streamed live on Colts.com, the Colts mobile app, @Colts on Twitter and the Colts Facebook page. Billy Ratliff had every opportunity to give up during that game because that kid was giving him the business, the entire game.. HARRISON For one more Saturday, Brandon Burlsworth was with his Arkansas football teammates and coaches and surrounded by family and friends. The car accident happened on April 28, 1999, near Alpena when he was on his way back from his hometown of Harrison after a workout in Fayetteville. Steichen called plays for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In reality he also had one from Henderson State University. Sure enough, it happened. We always beat those guys. Our family chose to turn our grief into something that would make a difference and honor Brandon for the things he felt so strongly about. Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Another trait that set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked of him. I knew nothing of Brandons story, said Budman. Foreign Language Department brings back after-school Harding employees bring families to swim Searcy Police and Public Safety investigate Reframing chapel: administration introduces changes, Student Association celebrates Earth Week. More than. Instead, the accident happened four days later, tearing holes in the hearts of everyone who knew Brandon. At the combine, Burlsworth topped all linemen with a 4.88 40-yard dash. He bench pressed 225 pounds 28 times, weighed 308 pounds and measured a slight notch below 6-4. Harding University in Florence students get Sladers Alaskan Dumpling Co. hosts birthday Students attend annual National Prayer Breakfast. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on April 28, 1999, on . "I remember it being exciting and extremely stressful. We knew he wouldn't be picked in the upper first round, but it took a toll on us," said Burlsworth. "Getting picked by the Colts was a blessing. It couldn't have been a better fit for Brandon.". "I sent one of those shirts to the funeral home and Brandon was buried in it," said Barbara. Known throughout Arkansas, Indianapolis was only getting to know Burlsworth. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. After being six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds as a senior at Harrison High School in 1993, Burlsworth grew almost three inches and added 30 pounds by the following spring. From @RazorbackFB walk-on to All-American, Brandon Burlsworth's story makes him a Razorback to remember. In the world of sports, there are plenty of iconic underdog stories. He said Ford wasn't enthused and even said Brandon would never earn a scholarship because he wasn't the type of player they were looking for. Thats where things were headed as Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner lined up under center on second down with just 1:47 left on the clock. He made close friends with Ed Robinson, who was a bit older. He declined both, insisting instead on joining the Razorbacks as a walk-on. "Through the years, we have stayed close. We're very appreciative of Mr. Irsay and the bond his organization has with us. My mother always has gotten a Colts Christmas card. We've kept a feeling of being a part of Brandon's team.". Every place starts with a cadence and ends with a whistle. Every national championship team that ever played college football has to have a little luck sometime. Powered by ThinkWeb, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION'S STUDENT MEDIA NETWORK AT HARDING UNIVERSITY, Faith, Trust and Character: The Life and Legacy of Brandon Burlsworth, Three players lead softball team to terrific start, Track construction nearly complete, ready to host, 22 teams compete in annual pickle ball tournament, Womens and mens tennis teams push through season, Bison baseball kicks off season with five straight wins, Harding softball begins season in Louisiana, Ambassador discusses efforts against human trafficking. Id never heard it before. He said his familys personal contribution to Brandons legacy was the Burlworth Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged kids enjoy Arkansas Razorback and Indianapolis Colts games. Burlsworth's Arkansas jersey number 77 was retired by the Colts for Hall-of-Famer Jim Parker, but Burlsworth's memorial picture ran on page 77 of the Indianapolis media guide. A "BB" sticker inside the club logo was worn on the rear of helmets that season. When he got to Arkansas as a walk-on, he knew that he had to put everything he had into it and more. Facebook gives people the power. "It would have been great to see Brandon play, but it wasn't God's plan. That wasn't the way it's supposed to be, and that's what you accept.". "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.". There was no overlooking those two foes like the Vols might have done against Arkansas. 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.". The boy was almost 6-foot-4 and tipped the scales at more than 300 pounds. 20 college football teams we aren't sold on in 2023, SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Mizzou shocks Tennessee, Alabama downs Auburn and more, SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Alabama stays unbeaten in SEC play, Tennessee outlasts Auburn and more, SEC Basketball Power Rankings: A new top team emerges, Alabama loses in blowout fashion, Mizzou lights it up again. #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. Shane Steichen quarterbacked Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado, Calif., where he teamed up with future Colts wide receiver Austin Collie. Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. Its hard not to imagine what kind of player Ratliff would have been had he not been injured so often. When relatively healthy, Ratliff showed he had elite talent. Mock Draft Monday, our weekly roundup of experts' predictions for who the Colts will take in the NFL Draft, is back a week after the Colts named Shane Steichen head coach. Also not included in the film is that Brandon and Marty also have a brother named Grady. MB: Shortly after the accident, we got a call from a national magazine.
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