"The connection with the Colts now is just what we want it to be. It's almost like it was at Arkansas," said Marty. "When you go on their campus, it feels like family because we know so many people. It feels that way with the Colts. College GameDay Built by the Home Depot airs Saturday at 9 a.m. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident in 1999 after being drafted . Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. All rights reserved. Known throughout Arkansas, Indianapolis was only getting to know Burlsworth. While Ratliffs NFL future was never a realistic option because of his myriad injuries, Burlsworth had an incredibly bright future ahead of him. That Burlsworth was in the accident was completely like the unselfish person who established a cult following while a Razorback. We're going to be fine.' Literally. Burlsworth's death on April 28, only 11 days after the Indianapolis Colts took him in the third round of the NFL draft, left people in Arkansas in shock and asking questions that will remain. With a chance to be Harrison's first full-time resident to make a professional sport, brother and agent Marty remembers draft day. I kept thinking Someone needs to make a movie about this guy,' Reindl said. Marty and Vickie Burlsworth said they thought Greater was a fantastic rendering of what was important to Brandon. Courageous film depicts Razorback walk-on Brandon Burlsworth, drafted He was more assertive than most of the other linemen at the practices. 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 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. The life and still-impactful legacy of Brandon Burlsworth The book, Eyes of a Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story, was delivered in 2001. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation will be honoring Kevin Scanlon of Stephens Inc. with the 2023 Legends Award. Suddenly, the Vols had the ball in Arkansas territory with time to mount a more conventional drive. 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. Q: When did you realize Brandons story was going to be something that could resonate with people far beyond just Razorback fans? Ill never understand, but I know that thousands of kids have been helped through Brandons foundation and so many great things have come from our tragedy. 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. Billy was great. ", Tammy and Danny Roth of Harrison were friends of the Burlsworths. At the end of summer, he weighed 311 pounds, yet the draft hopeful could dunk a basketball with both hands from a standing start. When I heard Brandon passed away, it hit home, Ratliff said. what happened to heather nichols brandon burlsworth Billy Ratliff was right next to me, Wilson said. I was high as a kite. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks Football Team from 1995 to 1998. . We support responsible gambling. The play was unpredictable, right? She agreed, and the night. "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.". 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The storys been told a lot but it probably hasnt reached as many people as you think, he said. "I couldn't stop talking to my wife about how impressive he was and what a bright future he had.". The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. 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. It was apparently a shocker to a few of the reviewers here, but Greater includes some Christian themes in it. I know his teammates respected him for the work he put in and his incredible dedication. It's an image of how the "farmer" was capturing Marty's soul and he was becoming the "farmers". After college he became a third-round pick of the Colts. There is a much deeper message here. 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. 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. He never got there, dying in. This is a movie not just for football fans but for everyone. The final carry was a 1-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds left and an eventual 28-24 win. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In the book about Brandon's life, retired businessman Bud Walsh of Harrison is credited with advising Brandon's older brother Marty to contact Razorback Assistant Coach Harold Horton to hopefully become a walk-on. 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 . The youth center in Harrison, Arkansas . I dont want to tell them what to walk away with I want to inspire them through this story.. Brandon Burlsworth | Found a Grave The inspiring story of Brandon Burlsworth, a walk-on turned All-SEC After minicamp, he was projected by his coaches to start as a rookie. 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. Had he joined the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon Burlsworth probably would have made quite the impact on the football field. Your IP: He loved the sport, though, and worked his way to all-state honors by the time he graduated. Brandon was elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and the UA Letterman's Association Hall of Honor in 2004. Surely, UT head coach Phillip Fulmer called the shots given his background. However, he was killed in an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. The struggles that he had gone through to get where he was were over. 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. 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. Organizations and businesses prepare for Valentines Gov. The Comfort Inn's scrolling marquee was simple, but also eerie: ``Remember Brandon Burlsworth,'' followed by the time and temperature. Brandon Burlsworth at the heart of another Saturday Some called the Vols lucky after the Arkansas game. They were winning the whole game, really. Now, a careless fumble? ESPN College GameDay 8-31-19 #WeTrust pic.twitter.com/x3UCtOjLLf, Burlsworth Trophy (@BurlsworthTrust) August 29, 2019. From @RazorbackFB walk-on to All-American, Brandon Burlsworth's story makes him a Razorback to remember. Thats one of those that I would have loved to have seen his career if he had not been injured. That wouldnt be the case. Brandon Burlsworth excelled in high school football, making All-Conference and All-State. Mudd went on to scale heights with Indianapolis that included the NFL's all-time winningest regular-season record over a decade (115-45, 2000-09), multiple division titles, two AFC crowns and a World Championship. 'Burls Kids' is a program where youngsters attend Colts and Razorbacks games, and the foundation conducts camps and prep football awards. Who is Brandon Burlsworth? What's the cause of his death? - GhBasecom Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these. Thats where things were headed as Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner lined up under center on second down with just 1:47 left on the clock. 1. 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? MB: We want them to know that bad things can and will happen. Sow with action, you reap a habit. You cant control it, Ratliff said. LSU's 3 permanent rivals for 9-game SEC schedule have been set, per report, Quinten Dormady, former Tennessee QB, under playbook investigation in XFL, Alabama basketball adds commitment from 4-star forward, Texas A&M punctuates impressive SEC season with upset of No. You can say that if you werent a part of it and you didnt see what I saw. 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. When relatively healthy, Ratliff showed he had elite talent. Two collisions followed and the life of a wonderful human with vast. 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. Carrolton (AP) - Former Arkansas offensive guard BRANDON BURLSWORTH died in a car crash as he headed home to Harrison from Fayetteville, officials said. After college he became a third-round pick of the Colts. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. 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. The Colts also announced all members of the team will have a special decal on their helmets in a tribute to Burlsworth. After his rise to prominence at Arkansas, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to make the leap to the NFL. MB: After we started receiving calls from Hollywood producers, we knew that if the story were told, we wanted it to be told in the most accurate way possible, understanding that its difficult to squeeze 15 years into two hours. #HistoricHog pic.twitter.com/xBCanCzixz. The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. Brian Reindl is a real estate developer by trade, but a filmmaker by passion.