When his brother Marty sees how much he meant to the people of his hometown and how many have shown up for his funeral, he rebuffs The Farmer, deciding to celebrate Brandon's life and move on with his own. Tragically, that never happened. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. The coach said he managed to get back to his feet, still surrounded by the team. "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. The book, Eyes of a Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story, was delivered in 2001. If Arkansas could just run the clock and punt the ball deep, theyd likely upset the top-ranked Vols in Neyland Stadium. All-American ( 1998) 2 First-team All-SEC ( 1997, 1998) Arkansas Razorbacks No. A mother losing a child at that young age, it was tough. Were going to get the ball back.. 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. This is an inspirational film, and I believe its a film you will want to see over and over again. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. Brandons goal growing up was to help underprivileged kids, Aaron Burlsworth said. The Comfort Inn's scrolling marquee was simple, but also eerie: ``Remember Brandon Burlsworth,'' followed by the time and temperature. At Arkansas, the former Harrison High School player became a three-year starter and finished as an All-Southeastern Conference pick and on the Associated Press All-America second team. ", Tammy and Danny Roth of Harrison were friends of the Burlsworths. brandon burlsworth foundation to honor stephens inc. kevin scanlon with legends award Under the organizations umbrella, there are multiple programs. There was no overlooking those two foes like the Vols might have done against Arkansas. We have a saying in our family, said Marty Burlsworth. Had he joined the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon Burlsworth probably would have made quite the impact on the football field. The story of a small town walk-on freshman named Brandon Burlsworth transforming into a first team All-American has been inspiring to football fans of all ages, but there is much more to his legacy than most people know. The more the "farmer" talked to Marty about faith and religion and making him doubt the more detailed it became. I think about that all the time.. The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. 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. Every national championship team that ever played college football has to have a little luck sometime. In this 1999 photo, the locker of Brandon Burlsworth is seen encased in glass in the locker room at the University of Arkansas. Brandon was very undersized as a freshman and sophomore, a skinny kid. #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. Today, The University of Arkansas has created an endowment in Brandon's name. He earned first-team All-SEC honors in 1997 and 1998; he was also named a first-team All-American during the 1998 campaign. I cant imagine losing a child at that age. He could finally reap the rewards of everything he put into the game all the training, all the schooling, all the dedication, all the hard work. "I just wished I'd had the opportunity to have been part of his development. It was an interesting set of play calls for Cutcliffe, who is widely considered a quarterback and passing game guru. Arkansas needed 12 yards for the first down, but that wasnt even necessary. She agreed, and the night. Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. Brandon was a guy who could have been from anywhere. Since 2010, the Burlsworth Trophy has been handed out to the best player in college football who started his career as a walk-on. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. HARRISON For one more Saturday, Brandon Burlsworth was with his Arkansas football teammates and coaches and surrounded by family and friends. Tommy Tice, Brandon's high school coach at Harrison, said most people couldn't know that Brandon had etched the noseband of his trademark black-rim glasses with the words "All-American. Ratliff saw both luck and destiny in the play that would make him a Tennessee football folk hero. Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. The Arkansas win did more than preserve the Vols perfect record. Now, a careless fumble? You want to just tell the story as if no one had ever heard it before. His truck collided with an approaching 18-wheeler causing him to veer into his lane then he crashed with another tractor-trailer head-on. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on coming lane. Q: When did you realize Brandons story was going to be something that could resonate with people far beyond just Razorback fans? If it does not offend you, then you should enjoy it. Burlsworth ran a 40-yard touchdown in 4.88 seconds during the combine, more than any other player. There is some footage of the real Brandon after the last credits. 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. 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. History happened, he said. After his death, Burlsworth's #77 became only the second retired number in Razorback football history. What else could I do? "I sent one of those shirts to the funeral home and Brandon was buried in it," said Barbara. We dont know why, but we do know that we will see him again. He said that the message spoke of the joy of living everyday life and asked big questions, making it a powerful story. You can say that if you werent a part of it and you didnt see what I saw. That says it all. That has to be the bittersweet part for Ratliff. ESPN NHL Production Coordinator Camille Bova Does it All for the 2023 NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh, N.C. After his rise to prominence at Arkansas, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to make the leap to the NFL. After that ran, we began getting calls from Los Angeles about doing a movie. 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. 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. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. Cover photo of Clint Stoerners fumble courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics. Brandon Burlsworth was killed in an automobile accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on April 28, 1999. "We got to know a lot of Colts personnel at training camp. Through the years, we have stayed close.". MB: We want them to know that bad things can and will happen. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. . However, the player some consider the best walk-on in college football history was tragically killed in a car accident just 11 days later. . 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. 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. Weve got to throw it. I said No, were going to run it every down and we ran the football right down their throat.. Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these. Mock Draft Monday, our weekly roundup of experts' predictions for who the Colts will take in the NFL Draft, is back with the NFL Combine getting underway in Indianapolis this week. (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. After his time at the University of Arkansas ended, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to realize his NFL dreams. . She smiles when she sees the many thousands of children and others who've benefited enormously from the charitable Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and from his once having lived a blessed and honorable life among us. Brandon was elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and the UA Letterman's Association Hall of Honor in 2004. It became clear that this was a story that would resonate far beyond the state boundaries. For more information contact us at communication@harding.edu or visit us at harding.edu/communication. Although he never played a down in the NFL, he had impressed Mudd enough during mini-camp that. He wanted to help underprivileged kids with his NFL money. He wanted to buy mom a nice house. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports. However, he was killed in an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. Brandon burlsworth dies on arkansas highway after head on collision with tractor trailer. The play was unpredictable, right? He is a great story about a guy who overcame huge obstacles through hard work, determination and perseverance. Its just amazing to see the impact on these kids lives and the smiles on their faces by introducing them to things that we take for granted.. Not exactly. Do it the Burls way: Have character. The Indianapolis Colts wore his initials, BB, on their helmets for the 1999 season. 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. 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. After his two weeks in Indianapolis, Brandon flew home on April 18, 1999, a Sunday. I have a son right now that just turned 22. But Arkansas was the dream. 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. Director David Hunt (from left) poses Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, with producer Brian Reindl, and Marty Burlsworth, brother of Brandon Burlsworth, during a red carpet event ahead of the premiere. He made himself into a player by just working harder than everyone else. 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. Cast [ edit] Billy Ratliff was right next to me, Wilson said. "As time goes on, you deal with the hurt. That 'what ifs' never really go away," said Marty. "We're life-long Colts fans, always will be. The walk-on who became an All-American, a person who responded, 'Yes sir,' or 'No sir,' to every question, decided to bypass a ring ceremony honoring the school's SEC Western Division title. He wanted to head home, have dinner with his mother, Barbara, and attend a Wednesday night church service. You cant control it, Ratliff said. . 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. 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. Brandon, Marty's younger brother by 16 years, was tragically killed in an auto accident on April 28, 1999 . He became a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. 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 11,000. Billy Ratliff hit the lineman and he stepped back on his foot. (NWA Media). Brandon doesn't start out with all . "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. Journalism Showcase: E60 Producer Discusses How New Documentary On Undefeated 72 Dolphins Puts Fresh Perspective on 50-Year-Old Story, ESPNs Gymnastics Creative Soars and Brings the Light to Friday Night Heights, Inside The Making Of Andscape Writer Jesse Washingtons MLK Weekend Essay Living In His Legacy, ESPNs Holland Mickle Roars into Action for the Injured Clemson Cub, Whats Your Beef With Jon Jones? Unfortunately, Brandon was tragically killed in a head-on automobile collision just 11 days after the draft." This is the life story of Brandon Burlsworth who is probably best known as a former offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1995 - 1999 (which is also the same time I went to the University of Arkansas). 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. The offensive guard had been named an All-American and a two-time All-SEC First Team player. All of the sudden I looked down and I see the ball on the ground, Ratliff said. His story is the subject of movie that debuts Friday calledGreater.. During the summer after his sophomore year, he had a big growth spurt, enough where he was able to get playing time on the varsity. I know his teammates respected him for the work he put in and his incredible dedication. We support responsible gambling. Departments offer new classes across campus, Student Association hosts first birthday bash. He made close friends with Ed Robinson, who was a bit older. Request more info or view our 3D Seat Viewer below! "No problem, I'm used to it," quipped Burlsworth, who popped the lens of his eyeglasses out and smiled away. I think about it all the time. Hate to see Desir be the victim lol. Eleven days after being the 63rd pick in the draft, Burlsworth. "Then I turned around and the next player I faced was Brandon. While he received some offers from smaller schools, Burlsworth wanted to go to the University of Arkansas and play for the Razorbacks. Burlsworth, 22, a third-round draft pick from Arkansas, was killed in a car crash less than a half-hour from home Wednesday. It was one of those games where we always thought we were going to win, Ratliff said. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . Hewalked on at Arkansas in 1994 after having zero FBS scholarship offers and eventually became team captain and a two-time All-SEC pick. We didnt really get a chance until the end of the game.. I knew nothing of Brandons story, said Budman. FAYETTEVILLE There is a great . "I remember handing the helmet back to the other player, then shouting: "Well, by gosh, that will be the last time I teach you that lesson!" Instead, he did set goals and worked hard to achieve them.".