Burlsworth 22 a third round draft pick of the indianapolis colts on april 17 was driving on us. Brandon Burlsworth died from a car accident just eleven days after being drafted. 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. He was already something special, but it would have been something else had he not gone through the injuries he did.. 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. Harding School of Theology student Ben Hansen said the movie far exceeded his low expectations due to the quality of some Christian movies. He had fresh legs and blew up the play., After the Arkansas game, we knew that was our moment.. The Harrison, Arkansas, native walked on and became a three-year starter, All-American and NFL Draft pick. Do it the right way when no one else is looking. All rights reserved. However, every time he thinks of the fumble, its hard not to think of Burlsworth. 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? He had worked so hard and everything was in line to make his dreams come true. He wanted to buy mom a nice house. Brandon Burlsworth was killed in a car accident on April 28th, 1999 while driving back to his hometown when he was near Alpena, Arkansas he got involved in the accident and died on the spot. Q: What was your involvement with the movie process from the beginning until now? 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. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting. This book is the inspiring biography of a local boy who makes good. Anyone within earshot of Ratliff just moments before heard him call his shot. When I told him to come at me full force to demonstrate my lesson about blocking, Brandon knocked me flat on my back, leaving me dazed for several seconds.". Said Burlsworth's position coach and lineman on the 1964 national champion Razorback team Mike Bender, "(He's) the best to play the offensive line in Arkansas history. There has never been one like Brandon, and there never will be again.". 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The fundraising event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. We support responsible gambling. Theyd risen to No. Wed, 09/08/2021 - 15:05. (NWA Media). 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. However, the player some consider the best walk-on in college football history was tragically killed in a car accident just 11 days later. 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 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. 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. Sow with thought, you reap in action. The Colts honored the Burlsworth family on opening day in 1999 with a framed jersey number 66. Why did he have to die when he had everything to live for? We dont have to understand it -- BUT we do have the choice of how we react to it. 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. Two months after the accident, Harrison football coach Tommy Tice told Sports Illustrated, "You had to be careful what you told Brandon. Brandon believed whatever his coach, his mother and his preacher told him was right. But there was a film made about it and there were a lot of articles about it. State police Cpl. Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. His life and career, however, ended in tragedy rather than triumph. 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. Said Martin, It was really good for us as a team to win in the fashion we won. The film shows Brandon receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas Tech University. Accident investigators indicated that Burlsworth was trailing another semi-truck rig on the winding, two-lane highway toward Harrison when he veered left just slightly to check oncoming. Brandon burlsworth car accident details. Ratliff and Burlsworth will always be linked by the Arkansas fumble. Brandon Burlsworth death scene What was Brandon Burlsworth's death scene like? brandon burlsworth car accident details, 47 Best Movies Images In 2019 Film Movie Movie Clock, 17 Best Divorce Board Images Divorce Divorce Lawyers This Or, 46 Best Inspiring People Images Looking Up Robyn Davidson, 14 Best Sports Images Arkansas Razorbacks Football Arkansas, 21 Best Elijah Oyefeso Pictures Images Elijah Pictures, 16 Best New Dvd S January 2017 Images Movie Tv New Movies, 26 3d Movie Prime Video Best Choice In 2020 Hd Movies Movies, 54 Best Christian Videos Streaming On Amazon Prime I Like Images. 412 when he became involved in the crash with two tractor trailers officials said. After that ran, we began getting calls from Los Angeles about doing a movie. This is incredible. Recently, I did a Q&A with his older brother Marty, who was instrumental in Brandons life. I think about that all the time.. UT linebacker Al Wilson witnessed his teammates proclamation to Martin on the sideline. by Clay Henry | August 27, 2016 at 1:00 a.m. Arkansas' Brandon Burlsworth tells a story to teammates before the beginning of practice at Thunder Field on Dec. 30, 1998 . 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. By what name was Greater (2016) officially released in India in English? "Brandon Burlsworth was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. Although he never played a down in the NFL, he had impressed Mudd enough during mini-camp that. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks Football Team from 1995 to 1998. . He was the first pick in the third round, the 63rd overall selection. Brandon sure left an indelible impression on me.". 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. Good fortune was certainly on the Vols side against Arkansas. If Arkansas could just run the clock and punt the ball deep, theyd likely upset the top-ranked Vols in Neyland Stadium. Coach Tice: You know, football's a rough game; it's unpredictable. Im not sure what coach Nutt was thinking about, Ratliff said. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. He went to mini-camp, but was killed a few days . Shane Steichen quarterbacked Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado, Calif., where he teamed up with future Colts wide receiver Austin Collie. Ratliff continued playing football for the love of the game. The offensive guard had been named an All-American and a two-time All-SEC First Team player. "We got to know a lot of Colts personnel at training camp. Through the years, we have stayed close.". After his two weeks in Indianapolis, Brandon flew home on April 18, 1999, a Sunday. Literally. Midnight Madness kicks off basketball season, Social clubs prepare for Homecoming Parade, James Huff receives another research grant. 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. However, he was killed in an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson advanced Tuesday to a runoff election as they seek to become the Windy City's next mayor, putting an end to incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot's one-term tenure leading the city amid an unprecedented crime wave.. Who are the two candidates looking to come out on top in the April 4 runoff election? "No problem, I'm used to it," quipped Burlsworth, who popped the lens of his eyeglasses out and smiled away. 'Burls Kids' is a program where youngsters attend Colts and Razorbacks games, and the foundation conducts camps and prep football awards. Honors College announces new faculty fellow. He was able to focus and achieve his primary goals that included earning a master's degree, making All-American and being drafted by an NFL team. We were involved from start to finish in a sort of advisory role. Email him at [emailprotected], Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. 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.. What you do in between, determines your legacy, so make sure you give it everything you've got until you hear that whistle. After his death, Burlsworth's #77 became only the second retired number in Razorback football history. 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. All Martin had to do was hand the ball off to running back Travis Henry. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. The other producers couldnt guarantee just how accurate the depiction would be. The lineman had returned from the Colts' weekend minicamp. But he loses that control over him and his faith is restored making the carving revert back. Cast [ edit] . Marty Burlsworth said his brother always remembered where he came from and wanted to help kids in similar situations to his. MB: Our agreement was that the family could object if we felt something was not portrayed in the right manner. 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. 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. 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. Brandon Burlsworth went from freshman walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas before being the Colts' third-round pick in 1999. "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.". Cutcliffe decided to do just that. About Saturday Down South | Ethics and Editorial Standards | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Other Conferences: Big Ten | ACC | Pac-12, "Billy Ratliff was right next to me. 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. Playing on the offensive line is not a "glamour" position, but he was still one of the most popular players on the team. 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's Arkansas coach Houston Nutt told Sports Illustrated, "He always did everything exactly right, and I've never known anyone to work as hard.". Unfortunately, Brandon was tragically killed in a head-on automobile collision just 11 days after the draft. The team broke into laughter. 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 was a walk on turned All American at the University of Arkansas. Ratliffs explosive push into the backfield caused Burlsworth to step on Stoerners foot. He said that the message spoke of the joy of living everyday life and asked big questions, making it a powerful story. Among UT fans, his name is synonymous with the Arkansas fumble. Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. Few of them, though, have followed the same road as Brandon Burlsworth. While his tragic death may have ended his football career, it didnt stop the linemans ability to change the world. If its difficult to describe the love for a brother its impossible to explain the loss of a brother. Brandon's family established an establishment in 1999 to respect him. UT took over at the Hogs 43-yard line with just 1:43 left. All-American ( 1998) 2 First-team All-SEC ( 1997, 1998) Arkansas Razorbacks No. "GREATER" tells the story of Burlsworth, a former college walk-on, who would go on to earn All-America honors at the . "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!" 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. Today, The University of Arkansas has created an endowment in Brandon's name. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident less than two weeks after he was drafted. As a part of the program, the Colts will hire a Dungy Fellow for the offense and the defense. 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. He made himself into a player by just working harder than everyone else. 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. Philip Straub said the call came in at 4:17 p.m. that there was a crash involving a car and a tractor-trailer on U.S. 412 near Carrolton. He wanted to help underprivileged kids with his NFL money. We're going to be fine.' Brandon doesn't start out with all . The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier after earning first-team All-America honors as a fifth-year senior, was involved in a head-on crash with a. Burlsworth, whose heavy frame and thick, black-rimmed . Facebook gives people the power. He definitely was, Coleman said. I hope he finds a home on an NFL team, and more than that hope he finds peace. He declined both, insisting instead on joining the Razorbacks as a walk-on. Throughout his football career, Brandon Burlsworth never let adversity stop him from achieving his goals. Tee came off the field and Billy told him, Hey man, dont put your helmet away. I knew nothing of Brandons story, said Budman. Under the organizations umbrella, there are multiple programs. Instead, he did set goals and worked hard to achieve them.". | 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. We dont know why, but we do know that we will see him again. You sow a character, you reap a destiny. I struggled with the same things I think everybody does. 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. He died in a car crash on april 28 1999 shortly after he was drafted by the nfls indianapolis colts. She agreed, and the night. 1. Fate intervened. Director David Hunt (from left) poses Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, with producer Brian Reindl, and Marty Burlsworth, brother of Brandon Burlsworth, during a red carpet event ahead of the premiere. During his UT career, Ratliff suffered a severe neck injury, two torn knee ligaments and serious shin splints. When its your time, its your time. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident less than two weeks after he was drafted. "He spent (Tuesday) night with Joe Dean Davenport." (Joe Dean later played for the Colts.) Brian Reindl, writer and producer of "Greater," said he loved the opportunity to tell such an incredible story in his first-ever production. Brandon was on his way home from the university of arkansas to pick up his mother and attend church when the accident happened 11. Now, a careless fumble? "We attended the First Assembly in Harrison and Brandon was always there, starting at about 10 years old. The magazine did an extensive eight-page piece on him. **CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE OF BRANDON BURLSWORTH IN 1999 ROOKIE CAMP**. That was a caused fumble. Though Burlsworths story is not new, Budman felt that he should approach the story, with reporter Tom Rinaldi, as if every viewer was learning about it for the first time. 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 . You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. I pushed Brandon back. 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. As of the 2020 census the population stood at 128. When relatively healthy, Ratliff showed he had elite talent. It became clear that this was a story that would resonate far beyond the state boundaries. This is an inspirational film, and I believe its a film you will want to see over and over again. We always beat those guys. In the world of sports, there are plenty of iconic underdog stories. ESPN College GameDay 8-31-19 #WeTrust pic.twitter.com/x3UCtOjLLf, Burlsworth Trophy (@BurlsworthTrust) August 29, 2019. 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,. 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.. Steichen called plays for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Safety Fred White didnt see it that way. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. #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. Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football.The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football.The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. However, he was killedin an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. After his rise to prominence at Arkansas, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to make the leap to the NFL. Weve got to throw it. I said No, were going to run it every down and we ran the football right down their throat.. Sure enough, it happened. He had absolutely no quit in him. 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. Hewalked on at Arkansas in 1994 after having zero FBS scholarship offers and eventually became team captain and a two-time All-SEC pick. Justin Herbert set an NFL rookie record with 31 passing touchdowns in 2020, when Shane Steichen was his offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers. I think the movie speaks to people in many different ways, Reindl said. That hand was holding the football. I think about it all the time. Tragically, that never happened. There was no overlooking those two foes like the Vols might have done against Arkansas. Hate to see Desir be the victim lol. He was on his way back to Harrison, his hometown, following a workout in Fayetteville. That Burlsworth was in the accident was completely like the unselfish person who established a cult following while a Razorback. Tragically, at the age of 22, 10 days after the draft, he was killed in a car accident on April 28th, 1999 while on his way home from the University of Arkansas to attend church with his mom. FAYETTEVILLE There is a great . Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d144239416bbd Brandon Burlsworth was in a car accident and was announced dead at the scene on April 28, 1999. Known throughout Arkansas, Indianapolis was only getting to know Burlsworth. You want to just tell the story as if no one had ever heard it before. 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. Brandon burlsworth dies on arkansas highway after head on collision with tractor trailer. 172.104.178.68 From @RazorbackFB walk-on to All-American, Brandon Burlsworth's story makes him a Razorback to remember. He went to Harrison High School and graduated from there. 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. "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.". 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. Your IP: Accordingly, I was thrilled to get him.". Burlsworth ran a 40-yard touchdown in 4.88 seconds during the combine, more than any other player. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident at age 22, 10 days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft. . As UTs defense tried to hold on, quarterback Tee Martin and UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe were devising a drive in which theyd have very little time left if they got the ball back at all. 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. 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. He was more assertive than most of the other linemen at the practices. "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.". 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. Chorus travels for Mississippi performance, Football alumni receive Division II honors, College of Education introduces new course. He became very active in the youth group. Now, you can't control who your mom and daddy is, but you can control how hard you work. When I heard Brandon passed away, it hit home, Ratliff said. I love that, whether its as (a former) lineman or just a person that likes sports. During his junior and senior years, his work ethic and focus really kicked in. There were times when he was almost late to games because he would never turn a kid down for an autograph or anything.. 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. . 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. There is a much deeper message here. https://t.co/FFBoin68fO, Subscribe to our newsletter to get daily updates, Tom Rinaldi interviews Barbara Burlsworth, mother of the late Brandon Burlsworth. "At Arkansas the coaches told him one day his legs could be stronger. Well, he ends up squatting 700 pounds.". I dont want to tell them what to walk away with I want to inspire them through this story.. MB: We want them to know that bad things can and will happen. He whipped my butt that whole game, Ratliff said. 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. 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 . . See production, box office & company info, Well-done and inspiring faith-based movie, Mike & Mike: Episode dated 23 August 2016. If that offends you, then you probably wouldn't like this movie. With the tragic way he died, how did you make sense of it all? 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. Cover photo of Clint Stoerners fumble courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics. Q: How important for you was it that this movie get made? We had never had a problem with anybody in the SEC but Florida. It was all inner-him -- all inner-drive. A mother losing a child at that young age, it was tough. That was one of those plays that had to happen. It was the type of impression Burlsworth provided with everyone over the three-day camp before heading home. 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. Every national championship team that ever played college football has to have a little luck sometime. ESPN NHL Production Coordinator Camille Bova Does it All for the 2023 NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh, N.C. Had he joined the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon Burlsworth probably would have made quite the impact on the football field.