Every place starts with a cadence and ends with a whistle. Another trait that set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked of him. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks Football Team from 1995 to 1998. . Oh well, it was a great run. Thats the way I went about it.. They said they were at a loss at what to do after Brandons death but knew they had to do something to keep moving forward. Marty and Vickie Burlsworth said they thought Greater was a fantastic rendering of what was important to Brandon. Harding School of Theology student Ben Hansen said the movie far exceeded his low expectations due to the quality of some Christian movies. Brandon burlsworth a second team all america guard who was recently drafted by the indianapolis colts was killed last night when his car collided with a tractor trailer rig near carrolton ark. If that offends you, then you probably wouldn't like this movie. 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. His truck collided with an approaching 18-wheeler causing him to veer into his lane then he crashed with another tractor-trailer head-on. Your IP: What else could I do? Brandon Burlsworth is growning from an unwanted accident of a child, to an abnormally large teenager, to a high school football . 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. 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. When (Greater producer and co-screenwriter) Brian Reindl came to us, we instantly felt a comfort level with him and his desire to tell Brandons story. Tee came off the field and Billy told him, Hey man, dont put your helmet away. "At Arkansas the coaches told him one day his legs could be stronger. Well, he ends up squatting 700 pounds.". 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. Two collisions followed and the life of a wonderful human with vast. He was drafted in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft to protect oddly enough former Vol quarterback Peyton Manning. A UT win would mean the Vols national title hopes would stay alive. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. After his time at the University of Arkansas ended, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to realize his NFL dreams. Instead, he did set goals and worked hard to achieve them.". Eleven days after being the 63rd pick in the draft, Burlsworth. It was a tough situation. At the end of summer, he weighed 311 pounds, yet the draft hopeful could dunk a basketball with both hands from a standing start. Sure enough, it happened. 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. However, he was killed in an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. So I read up on his story and the first thing that came to mind is hes Rudy [Ruettiger, the famed former Notre Dame football walk-on], only better. That was a caused fumble. 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. . There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. More than. He made close friends with Ed Robinson, who was a bit older. He was in the prime of his football career. Tice, now the athletic director for Huntsville, said he's never donned another helmet. 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. 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. brandon burlsworth foundation to honor stephens inc. kevin scanlon with legends award In reality he also had one from Henderson State University. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. I remember Al on the sideline screaming at us and telling us, We cant lose to Arkansas, Ratliff said. It made them believe they could win a title and instilled fear of the possibility of coming up short. They (Arkansas) did a good job of game-planning on us. Shane Steichen quarterbacked Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado, Calif., where he teamed up with future Colts wide receiver Austin Collie. 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 . 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. 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. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . I knew nothing of Brandons story, said Budman. Recently, I did a Q&A with his older brother Marty, who was instrumental in Brandons life. 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.. Facebook gives people the power. 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.". Hate to see Desir be the victim lol. Among UT fans, his name is synonymous with the Arkansas fumble and what it meant to UTs 1998 season. Q: What message do you want fans to take from this movie? 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 What you do in between, determines your legacy, so make sure you give it everything you've got until you hear that whistle. 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). Q: What was your involvement with the movie process from the beginning until now? 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 spent (Tuesday) night with Joe Dean Davenport." (Joe Dean later played for the Colts.) The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. I struggled with the same things I think everybody does. He was on his heels and I was like, Im not going to stop pushing.'. 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. Please enjoy the peak of my journalistic career. The Colts honored the Burlsworth family on opening day in 1999 with a framed jersey number 66. 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. Now, a careless fumble? The temperature was a balmy 77 degrees. He is a great story about a guy who overcame huge obstacles through hard work, determination and perseverance. Today, The University of Arkansas has created an endowment in Brandon's name. 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. He was freak athlete. Brandon said, 'Yes, sir.' Hereof, what year did Brandon Burlsworth die? Under the organizations umbrella, there are multiple programs. Brandon vaughn burlsworth 1976 1999 find a grave memorial. "When Brandon showed up at the rookie camp, he was even better than I thought he'd be," said Mudd. You like to see those kinds of things happen in sports. The movie tells how Burlsworth, against all odds, went to Arkansas without an athletic scholarship and became an All-American football player and National Football League third-round draft choice. Cutcliffe called on Henry five consecutive times. Theyd risen to No. Coleman recalled seeing Ratliff, who was over 300 pounds, dunk a basketball with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Said Martin, It was really good for us as a team to win in the fashion we won. | 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. His brother, Marty, and their mother, Barbara, met him at the airport in Springfield. 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. He was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Fifteen years. So sad, so much promise, such a terrific person. They added that they hope the movie raises awareness for what they are trying to do with their foundation and helps make the Burlsworth name synonymous with strong character. When the 1999 NFL draft rolled around, the Indianapolis Colts made the linemans dreams a reality and selected him with the 63rd-overall pick. Brandon was tragically killed in a car accident, crushing all who . It was a crazy play. You can say that if you werent a part of it and you didnt see what I saw. 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. [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. But Arkansas was the dream. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. The Comfort Inn's scrolling marquee was simple, but also eerie: ``Remember Brandon Burlsworth,'' followed by the time and temperature. HARRISON For one more Saturday, Brandon Burlsworth was with his Arkansas football teammates and coaches and surrounded by family and friends. 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. We have a saying in our family, said Marty Burlsworth. There was only one problem. 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. "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 game was essentially over, as were Tennessees national championship hopes. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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." He never got there, dying in. Q: What was the relationship like between your brother and folks from Arkansas? A mother losing a child at that young age, it was tough. That defined the Tennessee offense that year, Cutcliffe said. One of the most unusual aspects of the Arkansas fumble is that Ratliff shouldnt have been in the game at all. To be of the offensive line Brandon took a risk and walked on 1994! When he got to Arkansas as a walk-on, he knew that he had to put everything he had into it and more. We dont have to understand it -- BUT we do have the choice of how we react to it. Marty Burlsworth said his brother always remembered where he came from and wanted to help kids in similar situations to his. I dont want to tell them what to walk away with I want to inspire them through this story.. 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. Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. Ratliff and Coleman were suite mates, so they knew each other well off the field. ET on ESPN from Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas. Ratliff replaced fellow defensive lineman Jeff Coleman, who was suffering from cramps on the sideline when Ratliffe made history. Miranda Valles, 21, died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend on I-290. "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." The action you just performed triggered the security solution. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. 2 Alabama, SEC Women's Basketball Tournament action suspended due to weather delay, 2 SEC players named to late-season watch list for Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Trophy, Overrated? Among UT fans, his name is synonymous with the Arkansas fumble. I love that, whether its as (a former) lineman or just a person that likes sports. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting. His story is the subject of movie that debuts Friday called. Although he never played a down in the NFL, he had impressed Mudd enough during mini-camp that. After college he became a third-round pick of the Colts. When relatively healthy, Ratliff showed he had elite talent. "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.". Phillip was saying Weve got to throw it. 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. Burlsworth first caught the eye of Mudd at the Senior Bowl, just prior to the Combine. "He stayed around the house and left for Fayetteville on Tuesday," Vickie says. As a part of the program, the Colts will hire a Dungy Fellow for the offense and the defense. Throughout his football career, Brandon Burlsworth never let adversity stop him from achieving his goals. That wouldnt be the case. Every national championship team that ever played college football has to have a little luck sometime. Arkansas needed 12 yards for the first down, but that wasnt even necessary. MB: Brandon was revered pretty quickly for the obstacles that he overcame. See production, box office & company info, Well-done and inspiring faith-based movie, Mike & Mike: Episode dated 23 August 2016. Thats one of those that I would have loved to have seen his career if he had not been injured. "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. The Indianapolis Colts wore his initials, BB, on their helmets for the 1999 season. But that same night, April 28, Mudd received a phone call from a newspaper reporter, asking him, "Have you heard about Brandon Burlsworth?" Burlsworth had been killed in a car accident. Billy was great. 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. Brandon Burlsworth, Indianapolis Colts. The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. He didnt just lay the ball on the ground. 1. The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. The magazine did an extensive eight-page piece on him. That was one of those plays that had to happen. Since 2010, the Burlsworth Trophy has been handed out to the best player in college football who started his career as a walk-on. It was all inner-him -- all inner-drive. 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.