MB: We want them to know that bad things can and will happen. I asked Barbara about what her son's faith meant to him. I dont want to tell them what to walk away with I want to inspire them through this story.. Brandon Burlsworth went from freshman walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas before being the Colts' third-round pick in 1999. During his UT career, Ratliff suffered a severe neck injury, two torn knee ligaments and serious shin splints. However, every time he thinks of the fumble, its hard not to think of Burlsworth. Sow with thought, you reap in action. He was the first pick in the third round, the 63rd overall selection. #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. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident in 1999 after being drafted . 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. The more the "farmer" talked to Marty about faith and religion and making him doubt the more detailed it became. "I kept coming back to comparisons with Brandon. "When Brandon showed up at the rookie camp, he was even better than I thought he'd be," said Mudd. I know his teammates respected him for the work he put in and his incredible dedication. The Comfort Inn's scrolling marquee was simple, but also eerie: ``Remember Brandon Burlsworth,'' followed by the time and temperature. **CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE OF BRANDON BURLSWORTH IN 1999 ROOKIE CAMP**. After Brandon was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, the caring couple asked Barbara if they might give Brandon some new shirts and a set of luggage for his trip. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. It's an image of how the "farmer" was capturing Marty's soul and he was becoming the "farmers". Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. Burlsworth, whose heavy frame and thick, black-rimmed . Brandon was tragically killed in a car accident, crushing all who . 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. Its hard not to imagine what kind of player Ratliff would have been had he not been injured so often. Gainey Coach Ford Wayne Duvall Pastor Rick Mark Dobies Coach Nutt Grant Cook Grant Garrett Josh Emerson Nathan Ward Ethan Waller Young Brandon Todd Julian Please enjoy the peak of my journalistic career. Your IP: Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. "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.". When relatively healthy, Ratliff showed he had elite talent. Burlsworth tragically lost his life in a car accident April 28, 1999, going from Fayetteville to a Wednesday night church service in his hometown of Harrison. Midnight Madness kicks off basketball season, Social clubs prepare for Homecoming Parade, James Huff receives another research grant. And I just thought it was a devastatingly tragic story but also an inspiring one., Watch the story behind GREATER. Under the organizations umbrella, there are multiple programs. In reality he also had one from Henderson State University. Burlsworth, 22, a third-round draft pick from Arkansas, was killed in a car crash less than a half-hour from home Wednesday. 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. From @RazorbackFB walk-on to All-American, Brandon Burlsworth's story makes him a Razorback to remember. When he got to Arkansas as a walk-on, he knew that he had to put everything he had into it and more. Burlsworth was selected in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts but he was killed eleven days later in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas on April 28, 1999. "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.". While Ratliffs NFL future was never a realistic option because of his myriad injuries, Burlsworth had an incredibly bright future ahead of him. I cant imagine losing a child at that age. Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Sure enough, it happened. For people unfamiliar with Brandons story, walk us through his development from your perspective. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident less than two weeks after he was drafted. 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. I hope he finds a home on an NFL team, and more than that hope he finds peace. Q: When did you realize Brandons story was going to be something that could resonate with people far beyond just Razorback fans? As tangible as his encased locker in the Broyles Athletics Center, the Burls' kids program and the Burlsworth Trophy given each year to the nation's most outstanding walk on football player,. After his time at the University of Arkansas ended, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to realize his NFL dreams. Do it the right way when no one else is looking. Marty Burlsworth: Brandon had entered high school early, so he graduated at 17 years old and was still growing. https://t.co/UV3TEAGddV, Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) August 29, 2019, @espn Amazing photo and article. We certainly didnt write the script, but we felt our opinions were always welcome. 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. Tragically, that never happened. Oh well, it was a great run. Fulmer was a former offensive lineman who loved running the football. The Harrison, Arkansas, native walked on and became a three-year starter, All-American and NFL Draft pick. FIFA World Cup - Best Goals from Every Angle, Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, FOX SPORTS, SPEED, SPEED.COM & 2023 Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. "I liked him so much that I used him as the barometer for the rest of the players I evaluated that year. Brandon was on his way home from the university of arkansas to pick up his mother and attend church when the accident happened 11. The press conference will be streamed live. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . You take the ball and drive it and run almost the same play, sometimes right, sometimes left, but basically the same play and run it down their throat and win the game and dont leave hardly any time on the clock. "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!" Certainly, football was immensely important to Brandon, but it was his character and the relationship he had with God that defined who Brandon Burlsworth really was. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. We didnt really get a chance until the end of the game.. 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. It was tough. 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. Burlsworth 22 a third round draft pick of the indianapolis colts on april 17 was driving on us. https://t.co/FFBoin68fO, Subscribe to our newsletter to get daily updates, Tom Rinaldi interviews Barbara Burlsworth, mother of the late Brandon Burlsworth. I have a son right now that just turned 22. I think the movie speaks to people in many different ways, Reindl said. Mom and I picked him up at the airport when he came home. All Martin had to do was hand the ball off to running back Travis Henry. A mother losing a child at that young age, it was tough. In fact, Ed, who works for FedEx in Harrison and has three children, even named his oldest son after Brandon. 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. At the end of summer, he weighed 311 pounds, yet the draft hopeful could dunk a basketball with both hands from a standing start. You cant control it, Ratliff said. 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. MB: Our agreement was that the family could object if we felt something was not portrayed in the right manner. Its hard not to imagine what might have been had Burlsworth not passed away when he was 22. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation will be honoring Kevin Scanlon of Stephens Inc. with the 2023 Legends Award. The other producers couldnt guarantee just how accurate the depiction would be. Thats one of those that I would have loved to have seen his career if he had not been injured. Also not included in the film is that Brandon and Marty also have a brother named Grady. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. He was in the prime of his football career. Billy was great. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and 11 days later was tragically killed in. He inspires people. Ratliff saw both luck and destiny in the play that would make him a Tennessee football folk hero. Honors College announces new faculty fellow. Hewalked on at Arkansas in 1994 after having zero FBS scholarship offers and eventually became team captain and a two-time All-SEC pick. They came to town to interview everyone and get photographs for the magazine. The offensive guard had been named an All-American and a two-time All-SEC First Team player. I think about it all the time. Its namesake was an Arkansas offensive lineman from 1995 to 1998. During their time of struggle, they came up with the idea for the foundation. Playing on the offensive line is not a "glamour" position, but he was still one of the most popular players on the team. He continued to grow and was a good 6-foot-2, 260 pounds in his senior season. Cast [ edit] However, once Marty stopped listening to him it returned to less detail. 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 notes about the 22-year-old Razorback All-American who died in a tragic traffic accident on April 28, 1999. We have a saying in our family, said Marty Burlsworth. Brandon burlsworths first act as a wealthy nfl offensive tackle was going to be to buy himself a bigger. That has to be the bittersweet part for Ratliff. 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.. History happened, he 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. Coleman had seen the suffering Ratliff had been through. He was drafted in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft to protect oddly enough former Vol quarterback Peyton Manning. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Family members have attended one home game annually to this day. Their affinity for the franchise has been a constant. After the Arkansas game, we knew that was our moment, former UT cornerback Dwayne Goodrich said. | 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. 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. If Billy Ratliff is still out here playing, whatever injury I have, it cant be that bad, Coleman said. Personal Life & Death. 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 . Thats the way I went about it.. 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. 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. "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. He had fresh legs and blew up the play.. He said that the message spoke of the joy of living everyday life and asked big questions, making it a powerful story. The game was essentially over, as were Tennessees national championship hopes. Theyd risen to No. It was all inner-him -- all inner-drive. Some called the Vols lucky after the Arkansas game. died in a car crash 11 days after . He is a great story about a guy who overcame huge obstacles through hard work, determination and perseverance. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on April 28, 1999, on . After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. As a part of the program, the Colts will hire a Dungy Fellow for the offense and the defense. I really felt like that game built character in our team because for the first time, we felt the feeling of defeat and that was a feeling we didnt want to have anymore.. Every national championship team that ever played college football has to have a little luck sometime. It was odd that Arkansas coach Houston Nutt didnt just run the football instead of calling a bootleg that allowed Ratliff to make his historic play. Burlsworth ran a 40-yard touchdown in 4.88 seconds during the combine, more than any other player. Brandon was a walk on turned All American at the University of Arkansas. Morgan Casting describes "Greater" as the unlikely career of Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on story in the history of college football.Known for his distinctive thick black glasses and resemblance to the 1990s incarnation of Drew Carey, the small-town Burlsworth had always . 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. He went after it without caution.". Marty Burlsworth remembers the day Brian Reindl came to Harrison to pitch his idea of making a movie about the life of Burlsworth's late brother, Brandon. Ratliff pounced on the ball. Brandon burlsworth was the former all american offensive lineman for the arkansas razorbacks. Brandon's family established an establishment in 1999 to respect him. After his rise to prominence at Arkansas, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to make the leap to the NFL. 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. He wanted to buy mom a nice house. One You like to see those kinds of things happen in sports. '"I told him how much it would mean to them to receive that message from him.". He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL draft, but sadly, after eleven days, he was involved in a road accident. By what name was Greater (2016) officially released in India in English? "He stayed around the house and left for Fayetteville on Tuesday," Vickie says. Carrolton (AP) - Former Arkansas offensive guard BRANDON BURLSWORTH died in a car crash as he headed home to Harrison from Fayetteville, officials said. Q: How important for you was it that this movie get made? Since 2010, the Burlsworth Trophy has been handed out to the best player in college football who started his career as a walk-on. https://t.co/0d1lDS8ST3, Chris Jones (@EnswellJones) August 29, 2019, Tragic what happened to him. 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. The Indianapolis Colts wore his initials, BB, on their helmets for the 1999 season. 77 retired. Q: What was your involvement with the movie process from the beginning until now? One of the most unusual aspects of the Arkansas fumble is that Ratliff shouldnt have been in the game at all. Billy Ratliff hit the lineman and he stepped back on his foot. In his junior year, he split time with a senior on the offensive line for half the season and then became the full-time starter. The foundation also runs football camps and presents several awards and scholarships. What you do in between, determines your legacy, so make sure you give it everything you've got until you hear that whistle. Burlsworth never got to join the Colts, though. Rivers and Steichen worked together with the Chargers, while Turner gave Steichen his first opportunity in the NFL. However, he was killed in an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. Marty and Vickie Burlsworth said they thought Greater was a fantastic rendering of what was important to Brandon. He became a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. [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. 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. On the line, Tarik Glenn and Adam Meadows were at tackles. Steve McKinney was one guard. Jeff Saturday was a street free agent, and Burlsworth could have helped the guard position for years. Brandon was very undersized as a freshman and sophomore, a skinny kid. Draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL draft, but sadly, after eleven days, he was involved in a road accident. As spelled out in an ESPN college football video, Burlsworth was never the most athletic guy; during high school, he was slow, soft, and didnt see significant playing time until his junior year. Aaron Burlsworth, Harding sophomore and nephew of Brandon Burlsworth, said his family wanted to make sure faith was directly involved in the film, as it was a huge part of Brandons life. I will never do better, and I am at peace with that. He walked onto the team and, despite spending a season as a redshirt on the scout team, proved his worth; ahead of his sophomore year, the offensive lineman had earned a scholarship. He declined both, insisting instead on joining the Razorbacks as a walk-on. Ratliff continued playing football for the love of the game. 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. Brandon Burlsworth, NFL player. Steichen called plays for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He just never sought the limelight. 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? 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 . Brandons goal growing up was to help underprivileged kids, Aaron Burlsworth said. We dont have to understand it -- BUT we do have the choice of how we react to it. As a player, "Brandon promised to be one of those players we point to and say, 'This is how it's done,' " said a top Colts official. Brandon, Marty's younger brother by 16 years, was tragically killed in an auto accident on April 28, 1999 . An Arkansas loss would end the Vols dreams for a title but keep hope alive for the Razorbacks, who were surprisingly also in the national title hunt. Now, you can't control who your mom and daddy is, but you can control how hard you work. He was more assertive than most of the other linemen at the practices. 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. But he loses that control over him and his faith is restored making the carving revert back. During his junior and senior years, his work ethic and focus really kicked in. Tice, now the athletic director for Huntsville, said he's never donned another helmet. "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." 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. Former Arkansas football player and Indianapolis Colts draft pick Brandon Burlsworth died Wednesday in a car crash while travelling to his home, state police said. 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. 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. Today, The University of Arkansas has created an endowment in Brandon's name. He loved the kids, Marty Burlsworth said. (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. You can say that if you werent a part of it and you didnt see what I saw. 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. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. 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. ", Tammy and Danny Roth of Harrison were friends of the Burlsworths. In the short time Brandon was on this earth he left a legacy and a positive role model that will be remembered long after we are gone. Both press conferences will be streamed live on Colts.com, the Colts mobile app, @Colts on Twitter and the Colts Facebook page. Brandon Burlsworth rose from a walk-on to a legitimate player at Arkansas 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. "That first year was tough. Every year, it was a little easier," said Burlsworth. "That first year when Brandon was supposed to be on the field was hard, and I think anyone could understand that. You always wanted the best for your team, but you wanted your family member to be out there. Coach Tice: You know, football's a rough game; it's unpredictable. Weve got to throw it. I said No, were going to run it every down and we ran the football right down their throat.. The NFL Combine begins next week in Indianapolis and will begin to bring more clarity to how teams around the league rate this year's group of draft-eligible quarterbacks. I promise you that ball seemed like it was there for 5 or 6 seconds.. You want to hear from the pertinent voices, the people that were closely involved and related to Brandon played with him, coached him and raised him. He made close friends with Ed Robinson, who was a bit older. It was an interesting set of play calls for Cutcliffe, who is widely considered a quarterback and passing game guru. He went to Harrison High School and graduated from there. They (Arkansas) did a good job of game-planning on us. Considering the medical issues, an NFL career wasnt likely in the works. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on coming lane. Brandon burlsworth accident report BURLSWORTH KILLED IN CRASH. Brandon Burlsworth died from a car accident just eleven days after being drafted. Life itself, squeezed into 60 minutes in 100 yards. You sow a habit, you reap a character. Published: Wednesday, August 24, 2016. UT took over at the Hogs 43-yard line with just 1:43 left. Not exactly. MB: Shortly after the accident, we got a call from a national magazine. The film shows Brandon receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas Tech University. Fate intervened. My mom says that Brandons message comes through. However, he was killedin an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. Two collisions followed and the life of a wonderful human with vast. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Billy was great. I remember Al on the sideline screaming at us and telling us, We cant lose to Arkansas, Ratliff said. Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. University announces student survey results, new Track construction nearly complete, ready to Whataburger celebrates beginning construction on Searcy Harding hosts Arkansas National History Day Students visit historic Little Rock Central Students plan to attend upcoming mission ASI continues distinguished lecture series with Harding to host annual womens conference, Breaking out: University introduces breakout chapels, Construction on Berryhill Park courts continues.
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