He died as a result of the accident on April 28, 1999, and he had not survived it. -- a drive he had made hundreds of times -- Burlsworth was killed in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer. But Arkansas was the dream. But Burlsworth had more to his life than football. He graduated from Harrison High School and was a recruited walk-on football player at the University of Arkansas. ``There's going to be an award named after him,'' Nutt said, ``but I don't know if anybody could live up to it. For instance, the film didn't disclose that, shortly before his death, Brandon had formed a budding relationship with a college co-ed, also from Harrison. Before I leave the remarkable legacy of Harrison's Brandon Burlsworth and the film of his life called , now showing in nearly 400 theaters across America, I want to share a few back-story notes. He made close friends with Ed Robinson, who was a bit older. Those were true words.. Burlsworth was a recruited walk-on in every sense of the word. I cannot believe that sprinter Maurice Greene wasn't on thecover after breaking the world record in track's most glamorousevent, the 100-meter dash.MICHAEL PAULIN, Cincinnati. It was extra effort when we got on the field and extra effort when we lifted. 66 Colts jersey with a framed picture of him, depicting the player wearing his trademark black-rimmed glasses and crewcut. Brandon Burlsworth was a talented American football player who played as an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. [3], After his career with the Razorbacks, Burlsworth was invited to the NFL combine. He spent as many days as he could in the weight room getting stronger. Brandon was selected in the third round, 63rd overall, by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft. Please subscribe to keep reading. Horton recalls the story well. I also remember that they weighed him. When the pandemic started, I guess we all needed to find hobbies to help us pass the time. For me, it was reading. ``There's not a better person. It was a thrill to see the picture of Marion Motley in your July5th issue (SCORECARD). Half his body was in the passenger seat before he swung his legs in.''. Please enter valid email address to continue. Every NFL offensive linemen I've ever had, they ran like that, Horton said. But Id do anything for that kid. We probably put 30,000 miles on my minivan each season. [21], The Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps are for children going into third grade through ninth grade. On the tape, he delivered crushing blocks to protect quarterback Clint Stoerner and punched holes in defensive lines for Arkansas running backs. And I couldnt wait to be right there with him. It's the sophomore from Harrison, Burlsworth.. Clay Henry is the publisher and executive editor of Hawgs Illustrated. ``The only way I could explain Burls is from the outhouse to the penthouse, and he was knocking on the penthouse door.''. They were going to play quickly. Again, that's a coach hitting it right on the head of the nail. I don't know for sure, but I figure that being in the movie came from me. "I sent one of those shirts to the funeral home and Brandon was buried in it," said Barbara. CHARLES OVERTON, Fort Thomas, Ky. Failure to call obvious penalties after the second period allowedan exciting game to deteriorate into tedium.DON HUMAN, Lexington, Ky. I will never forget when Brandon came to school, Knight said. I couldn't believe the quotes from J.D. Brandon Burlsworth Was Dedicated & Fully-Focused Player Among the ideas: retiring his No. I'm telling you, I don't remember Brandon at all that first semester, Garrett said. Marcus Camby? To this day, people tell me where they were when they heard the news. So do I.. Interestingly, Garrett and Brown didn't see it as soon as their coaches. It breaks my heart that millions of readers will get to know anindividual of Brandon Burlsworth's character not during his lifebut after his death.MICHAEL SZAJENKO, Warren, Mich. Why is it that as an avid reader of SI, I am thoroughly familiarwith the likes of Latrell Sprewell, Albert Belle and LawrencePhillips, but until his tragic death, I had never even heard ofBrandon Burlsworth? But Tommy was right. Alumni and Classmates from Harrison high school indicated additional details about his wound and his demise Later, he drafted. Two buses of Razorbacks players arrived. We want Brandon here, but if he cant handle it I can see what I can do to get him to a smaller school, he said. Probably wouldn't have anyway. He's a heckuva player and he might be an All-American before he's done.. I was trying to do extra, watch as much tape as possible. We were at UCA in Conway for all-star camp. Brandon Burlsworth played for Arkansas from 1995-1998. Before his junior season in 1997, he was selected to be one of the team captains. He graduated last December, in just 4-1/2 years, with a master's degree in business administration. I tried bringing it up to him again. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . So when Brandon got it in his mind that he was going to be a Razorback, I was all in. His jersey was retired by the Arkansas Razorbacks in his honor and his locker was displayed in glass for public viewing. Coach Bender, our O-line coach, thinks he can come, Garrett said. He became a starter his sophomore year and was named an All-American his senior year. But this was on a different level. He pointed out Burlsworth blocking three on one play. I fear our support of the Kingsand excitement over their advancement to the playoffs cloudedour better judgment. He was the first Razorback football player to complete a master's degree before playing in his final game, the 1999 Citrus Bowl. Learn how and when to remove these template messages, promotes the subject in a subjective manner, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Inductees: Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame", "BURLSWORTH TROPHY A WORTHY GOAL FOR BEDFORD", "Twenty-one years later, Brandon Burlsworth's legacy endures for retired Indianapolis Colts Coach Mudd", "Retired jerseys a rare sight for Razorbacks", "Burlsworth killed in crash an 18 wheeler crossed the midline and the cars collided", "ESPN.com - NFL - Colts pay tribute to Burlsworth", "Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story", "NWA: 'Greater: The Brandon Burlsworth Story', "Extras wanted for filming of Brandon Burlsworth movie at War Memorial Stadium", "EXCLUSIVE SCREENING OF MOTION PICTURE "GREATER" TO TAKE PLACE AT HALL ON SATURDAY", "AUDIENCE ACCLAIM, EXHIBITOR DEMAND REQUIRE GREATER TO DELAY RELEASE UNTIL SUMMER", "On August 26th, experience a story that will change the way you see the world. He wasthatgood. That was just a sign of things to come. Garrett expects to see Houston Nutt and other coaches from those teams. All season I watched as goal after goal was disallowed when anoffensive player had so much as a toenail in the crease. Coach Ford didn't say please to anyone.. Then cast your vote, Bruce Springsteen adds to mythology with three-hour show at Tulsa's BOK Center, State board approves new academic standards with Ryan Walters' last-minute revisions, More than 800 Oklahoma medical marijuana farms linked to organized crime, drug agency says, Bill Haisten: A massive event NCAA wrestling in downtown Tulsa, OU athletics director Joe Castiglione on SEC transition; OU-Texas afternoon kickoff; Kyler Murray statue and more. Burlsworth was lauded by those who knew him as a tireless worker, a perfect gentleman and a strong Christian. He was preparing to marry Heather Nichols. He said, He came in heavy, but he's already dropped 30 and I bet we are going to be able to put weight back on him by Christmas. 1999 The Associated Press. As a result, his funeral was held in a high school gymnasium, allowing his teammates and family to attend as well. Brandon was starting at right guard. We planned to move out to Indianapolis with him. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. ", "He literally kept his goal focused right behind his nose through his college career.". He was also named to the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll every year from 19951998. display: block; Faith and family they meant everything to Brandon. A state police report said that, "for unknown reasons," Burlsworth's car drove left of the center line and hit the left front fender of a tractor trailer. He was in the prime of his football career. Greater: Directed by David L. Hunt. He couldn't go anywhere without signing autographs, which never bothered him. Past participants include Anthony Lucas, Clint Stoerner, Joe Dean Davenport, Madre Hill, Grant Garrett, Russ Brown, Barry Lunney Jr., Chad Abernathy, Jeremiah Washburn, Michael Smith, Lucas Miller, and others. The following year, he completed an MBA. And it was Brandons time. And for the next three years, every Friday at 5:30 p.m., Id close up the photography studio I owned in Harrison, pick up my mom, and my wife and kids, and drive to Brandons football games. 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. If it meant going over to Moms house to help him with homework, I wanted to be there. The next part of the story flips to Virgil Knight, Ford's fine strength and conditioning man. His promotional fact sheet said coaches told Brandon he was not good enough to get the opportunity to play.. That's how you get an 80-yard run. So we had guys like Grant Garrett and Russ Brown.. I kept gaming out who was left. I was high as a kite. Burlsworth, 22, was a third-round draft choice (63rd overall) of the Indianapolis Colts just two weeks ago and he and his brother and agent, Marty Burlsworth, were negotiating a contract. Can you imagine a728-pound goaltender? But this was my brother. We drove it to death. We just didn't have a good practice. David Hunt, who also helped Brian write the screenplay, directed the movie, and Gabe Mayhan was director of photography. But I wanted to uncover the real story. Win the StanleyCup? Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. The struggles that he had gone through to get where he was were over. [23] The Burlsworth Character Awards are a national award honoring character and sportsmanship in high school football. Mike likes him. Bart and Brandons parents have been struggling to cope with their sons deaths, but they have found strength in their faith. There will be plenty of coverage of Greater, now in theaters. He had the future ahead of him, having been drafted and picked by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft. The school was going to give Brandon a scholarship. There will be plenty of coverage of Greater, now in theaters. He was coveted by UA coaches. I do remember this, when we came back that second semester ahead of spring drills, you knew him then because he was doing things in our workouts that showed extra effort, Brown said. Knight is a Fayetteville home builder now. Join the discussion or start a new one on the Forums. heather nichols everton arkansas Feb 26 2021 heather nichols everton arkansas Uncategorized Approximate Reputation Score. Marty Burlsworth Brandon knew what it was like to be doubted, to be told you werent good enough. And if Brandon was doing whatever he could on the field, then I sure as heck would do whatever I could to help get my brother there. All Rights Reserved. Burlsworth was heavily recruited by the University of Arkansas, but he decided to walk-on to the team instead. His unrelenting efforts in the weight room were legendary, and he shaped himself into an All-American and consensus All-Southeastern Conference guard, starting each of his last three seasons. LIVE UPDATES: Arkansas-Illinois State midweek matchup, Whole Hog Baseball Podcast: Early takeaways from Eastern Illinois series win, Bohrofen hitting his stride in middle of Arkansas order, UNDER THE RADAR: Bryants David Paglianite, Vols dominate Arkansas from start to finish, Analyzing Arkansas' 75-57 loss at Tennessee, VIDEO: Musselman, Council recap Arkansas' loss at Tennessee. Brandon wanted to do more, though. Still, with each pick, even in the first round, you get more and more nervous. It is very difficultto admit that in one second, all the dreams that Brandon and Ishared are gone: the dreams of our first house, our children,our careers and the rest of our lives together. Was all in. '' Arkansas Uncategorized Approximate Reputation Score -- Burlsworth was lauded by those who knew as... Sent one of the word -- Burlsworth was a talented American football player at the of. His final game, the Brandon Burlsworth football Camps are for children going into grade! Starter his sophomore year and was named an All-American before he 's..! Pandemic started, I was trying to do extra, watch as much as! And Brown did n't see it as soon as their coaches punched holes in defensive lines for Arkansas backs... To Indianapolis with him never forget when Brandon got it in his honor and his demise Later, he.. Garrett expects to see the picture of Marion Motley in your July5th issue ( ). 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