The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. One All rights reserved. The boy was almost 6-foot-4 and tipped the scales at more than 300 pounds. The foundation also runs football camps and presents several awards and scholarships. Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. They were winning the whole game, really. Brandon and Ed played football together and became very close friends over the years. **CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE OF BRANDON BURLSWORTH IN 1999 ROOKIE CAMP**. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Your IP: The family picked Brandon up at the airport after the rookie camp. He was sore from the work, but expressed comfort with his teammates and the size of Indianapolis. Brandon was a walk on turned All American at the University of Arkansas. He was on his way back to Harrison, his hometown, following a workout in Fayetteville. I was high as a kite. Brandon Burlsworth, NFL player. Brandon the officer told us had collided head on with a semi. "I sent one of those shirts to the funeral home and Brandon was buried in it," said Barbara. If it does not offend you, then you should enjoy it. #biGTime #TogetherWeSwarm https://t.co/Ak89larnux, Following a resignation for personal misconduct and an NCAA show-cause penalty, he finds a home at the conservative Christian school in Virginia. Hes in college at Georgia Southern. The comment about the carving is true, but the imagery of the piece is a little deeper. "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. 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. This is an inspirational film, and I believe its a film you will want to see over and over again. Do it the Burls way: Have character. Shane Steichen quarterbacked Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado, Calif., where he teamed up with future Colts wide receiver Austin Collie. 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. 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. know it would happen, but Brandon knew all his life that God had placed His hand upon him and that he would be nowhere without God. It's an image of how the "farmer" was capturing Marty's soul and he was becoming the "farmers". This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Also not included in the film is that Brandon and Marty also have a brother named Grady. 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. Were going to get the ball back., "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. 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. 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. Oh well, it was a great run. #HistoricHog pic.twitter.com/xBCanCzixz. Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. 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. Yet Ford agreed to let Brandon show up as a "preferred walk-on.". Today, The University of Arkansas has created an endowment in Brandon's name. "The common . He loved the sport, though, and worked his way to all-state honors by the time he graduated. One of Fulmers favorite phrases was Pound the Rock, as in run the football until the other team breaks. If Arkansas could just run the clock and punt the ball deep, theyd likely upset the top-ranked Vols in Neyland Stadium. To be of the offensive line Brandon took a risk and walked on 1994! College GameDay Built by the Home Depot airs Saturday at 9 a.m. 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. 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. His heart weighed a good part of that. Fifteen years. So sad, so much promise, such a terrific person. Brandon burlsworth dies on arkansas highway after head on collision with tractor trailer. I think about that all the time.. Personal Life & Death. It was the offenses turn after Ratliff proved prophetic. Surely, UT head coach Phillip Fulmer called the shots given his background. 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. "He listened, then just did it," said Tice. 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. Sad to see the pain still inside him. At halftime of the team's season-opener against Buffalo, Colts owners Jim and Meg Irsay presented Burlsworth's family and Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles with checks for $5,000 each. Eleven days after being drafted burlsworth was killed in a car accident near alpena arkansas on april 28 1999 on his way back to his hometown of harrison after a workout in fayetteville. Draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. "GREATER" tells the story of Burlsworth, a former college walk-on, who would go on to earn All-America honors at the . Tee came off the field and Billy told him, Hey man, dont put your helmet away. He definitely was, Coleman said. That has to be the bittersweet part for Ratliff. 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. Few of them, though, have followed the same road as Brandon Burlsworth. 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. Tragically, that never happened. 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. The struggles that he had gone through to get where he was were over. Burlsworth never got to join the Colts, though. 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. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He went to Harrison High School and graduated from there. Q: How important for you was it that this movie get made? Casting Directors are now casting for the upcoming SAG feature film "Greater" filming in Arkansas. He was traveling to Harrison from Fayetteville to . Less than two weeks after he was chosen in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon was driving home to go to church with his mother. 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. 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. I pushed Brandon back. Recently, I did a Q&A with his older brother Marty, who was instrumental in Brandons life. After his time at the University of Arkansas ended, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to realize his NFL dreams. You cant control it, Ratliff said. With the tragic way he died, how did you make sense of it all? That was a caused fumble. We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. Ratliff and Coleman were suite mates, so they knew each other well off the field. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident less than two weeks after he was drafted. "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. "No problem, I'm used to it," quipped Burlsworth, who popped the lens of his eyeglasses out and smiled away. "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." Phillip was saying Weve got to throw it. That Burlsworth was in the accident was completely like the unselfish person who established a cult following while a Razorback. For people unfamiliar with Brandons story, walk us through his development from your perspective. After his death, Burlsworth's #77 became only the second retired number in Razorback football history. 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. Cutcliffe decided to do just that. Our opponents are set! I think about it all the time. Wed, 09/08/2021 - 15:05. It was an interesting set of play calls for Cutcliffe, who is widely considered a quarterback and passing game guru. She agreed, and the night. On Friday, Aug. 26, the movie "GREATER" will be released in theaters. Turns out, that conversation was all for naught thanks to Billy Ratliff. 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. 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. Brandon was on his way home from the university of arkansas to pick up his mother and attend church when the accident happened 11. Coleman had seen the suffering Ratliff had been through. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. Brandon Burlsworth death scene What was Brandon Burlsworth's death scene like? Brandon doesn't start out with all . After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. Since 2010, the Burlsworth Trophy has been handed out to the best player in college football who started his career as a walk-on. Instead, he did set goals and worked hard to achieve them.". Instead, the dreams of a family and the promise of an NFL career were cut short tragically when Burlsworth was killed 15 years ago today in a car accident as he headed home to Harrison, Arkansas. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks Football Team from 1995 to 1998. . Steichen's creativity and flexibility shined when the Eagles came to Indianapolis in Week 11 of the 2022 season. Thats one of those that I would have loved to have seen his career if he had not been injured. With a chance to be Harrison's first full-time resident to make a professional sport, brother and agent Marty remembers draft day. He died in a car crash on april 28 1999 shortly after he was drafted by the nfls indianapolis colts. The football fraternity had great expectations from the talented young man but fate had other plans and he was killed in an accident. | 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. The Indianapolis Colts wore his initials, BB, on their helmets for the 1999 season. He wanted to help underprivileged kids with his NFL money. Harding University in Florence students get Sladers Alaskan Dumpling Co. hosts birthday Students attend annual National Prayer Breakfast. 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 accident report BURLSWORTH KILLED IN CRASH. He didnt just lay the ball on the ground. Life itself, squeezed into 60 minutes in 100 yards. Billy Ratliff hit the lineman and he stepped back on his foot. He became very active in the youth group. Brandon vaughn burlsworth 1976 1999 find a grave memorial. Family members have attended one home game annually to this day. Their affinity for the franchise has been a constant. 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. 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." Ratliff replaced fellow defensive lineman Jeff Coleman, who was suffering from cramps on the sideline when Ratliffe made history. Ratliff continued playing football for the love of the game. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft, but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. State police Cpl. Cover photo of Clint Stoerners fumble courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics. We had never had a problem with anybody in the SEC but Florida. For more information contact us at [email protected] or visit us at harding.edu/communication. 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 . The Arkansas win did more than preserve the Vols perfect record. Q: What was the relationship like between your brother and folks from Arkansas? Under the organizations umbrella, there are multiple programs. Sow with thought, you reap in action. "We attended the First Assembly in Harrison and Brandon was always there, starting at about 10 years old. The coach said he managed to get back to his feet, still surrounded by the team. Throughout his football career, Brandon Burlsworth never let adversity stop him from achieving his goals. His life and career, however, ended in tragedy rather than triumph. Said Fulmer, Anybody that loves football would love that. The press conference will be streamed live. We are very happy with the way it turned out. My mom says that Brandons message comes through. There were times when he was almost late to games because he would never turn a kid down for an autograph or anything.. "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.". UT linebacker Al Wilson witnessed his teammates proclamation to Martin on the sideline. Among UT fans, his name is synonymous with the Arkansas fumble. 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. Brian Reindl is a real estate developer by trade, but a filmmaker by passion. Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. Its no surprise that Wilson, who was on the sideline with a torn groin, was leading the charge to get the ball back late in the game. I kept thinking Someone needs to make a movie about this guy,' Reindl said. After an exhaustive, deliberate process, Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard were in agreement: Shane Steichen was the top candidate for the team's head coaching position. Brandon Burlsworth was the former All-American offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks. They came to town to interview everyone and get photographs for the magazine. I promise you that ball seemed like it was there for 5 or 6 seconds.. Brandon burlsworths first act as a wealthy nfl offensive tackle was going to be to buy himself a bigger. 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. Inspiring to watch his football and his story change others around him and his journey towards wholeness. 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 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. Brandon Burlsworth was in a car accident and was announced dead at the scene on April 28, 1999. He was drafted in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft to protect oddly enough former Vol quarterback Peyton Manning. The movie really addressed the question of why bad things happen to good people, Hansen said. On the practice field, a dedicated and fully-focused Burlsworth did not remove his helmet or unbutton his chin strap. Eyes of a Champion, for example, helps provide free vision exams and glasses to low to moderate income, uninsured children. Burls Kids, which operates in both Arkansas and Indianapolis, brings children to football games and provides them with an unforgettable experience. One of the most unusual aspects of the Arkansas fumble is that Ratliff shouldnt have been in the game at all. 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? That has to be the bittersweet part for Ratliff. He was in the prime of his football career. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and 11 days later was tragically killed in. "We got to know a lot of Colts personnel at training camp. Through the years, we have stayed close.". Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Hollywood keeps making movies about superheroes and people who arent heroes at all, but here is a real life hero that my kids can look up to.. Q: What message do you want fans to take from this movie? I know his teammates respected him for the work he put in and his incredible dedication. He loved the kids, Marty Burlsworth said. We certainly didnt write the script, but we felt our opinions were always welcome. 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 is growning from an unwanted accident of a child, to an abnormally large teenager, to a high school football . Former Arkansas football player and Indianapolis Colts third-round draft pick Brandon Burlsworth died Wednesday in a car crash near Carrolton, Ark., while travelling to his home, state police said . When I heard Brandon passed away, it hit home, Ratliff said.