Brandon Burlsworth played for Arkansas from 1995-1998. Finally, in the third round Brandon answered the phone and gave us the thumbs-up. It was Brandon Burlsworth. Mom and I picked him up at the airport when he came home. Darryl Strawberry didn'tdecide to start doing drugs once he realized kids admired him,and Mike Tyson didn't survive in New York City by makingcrumpets for other children. Win the World Series? 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 traffic. It is not the type ending to the story that I wanted," Tice said. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. I was high as a kite. } 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 notes about the 22-year-old Razorback All-American who died in a tragic traffic accident on April 28, 1999. An incident like this brings that message home. Eighteen students at the University of Arkansas who are primarily from smaller towns and who are characterized as academic overachievers receive $5,000 scholarships. Another trait that set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked of him. All Rights Reserved. He lost from 309 that first day we weighed him to 252 when we sent them home at Christmas. Coach Ford asks someone would he please do something. Ronnie called and wanted to know our interest in Brandon, Horton said. 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. It's Hollywood. Are we toforget that this is the same player who, without having had onemajor league at bat, held up the Philadelphia Phillies for ayear in contract negotiations, demanding a record signing bonusof about $10 million before reentering the draft the followingyear? Theres never a day where I dont think about Brandon. Some of his teammates have since told me how red his face would be during practice, how hard he went, how he never gave up. Arkansas doesnt have a pro football team I dont even know if a pro team could survive here. I now have a manual for life that has no reference points to what I experienced before. I never thought Bubby was washed up. July5). A couple of weeks before Brandon left for school, one of the Arkansas coaches called me. He walked in and it was the Pillsbury Doughboy. We suddenly needed that gear, because we would be rooting for the Colts. The Razorbacks program announced Friday that university officials would retire the number 77 that Burlsworth wore for Arkansas. They all played in the NFL., Horton hung up the phone, marched down to Ford's office. "He always said there would. I look forward every Thursday to opening my mailbox and seeingwhom you have chosen for the cover. I was 16 years older than Brandon, so I was already out of the house, married and raising my own boys by the time he was of any age. The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier in the wake of gaining first-group All-America respects as a fifth-year senior, was involved with a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer around 15 miles outside Harrison and was killed. As we walked by one of the pro shops, we joked to each other. But that summer Brandon had two things going for him: His work ethic and, luckily, a pretty big growth spurt. But Arkansas was the dream. I didnt mean to dismiss Moms concerns, but I just figured there was some sort of reason or explanation. Burlsworth was pronounced dead at the scene. After the season, over the holidays, we got a call. "He not only lived his life right, he lived right every single day," Nutt said. I'll say this, please see the movie. I also remember that they weighed him. 1998 The Associated Press. Two rows of flowers ran the length of the basketball court. [23] The Burlsworth Character Awards are a national award honoring character and sportsmanship in high school football. After this picture wassnapped, Motley dragged my father 30 more yards. The struggles that he had gone through to get where he was were over. Clay Henry is the publisher and executive editor of Hawgs Illustrated. Greater is a 2016 American biographical sports film directed by David Hunt and starring Christopher Severio as American football player Brandon Burlsworth, a walk-on college player who became an All-American, dying in a car crash 11 days after being drafted high in the 3rd round to the National Football League. Facebook gives people the power. It was a thrill to see the picture of Marion Motley in your July5th issue (SCORECARD). We were going to Fayetteville for the game and I called him early in the week to tell him where our seats would be. The next part of the story flips to Virgil Knight, Ford's fine strength and conditioning man. This was the dream. Since basketball is included in the summer games, why can'tbaseball be featured indoors during its off-season? Unfortunately, the star died in 1999, aged 22. David Hunt, who also helped Brian write the screenplay, directed the movie, and Gabe Mayhan was director of photography. 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. Thats the dream. The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Prosecution wraps its case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment. Youll have all your coursework done and can graduate at the end of the year anyway., Yeah, he said with a smile. Heather Nichols and he were about to tie the knot. 27 Fv 2023 . Among the ideas: retiring his No. It was just one of those things when its time, its time. You find yourself squinting to see . [12] He was buried on May 2, 1999, in Gass Cemetery in Omaha, Arkansas. So do I.. Horton recalls the story well. Majorleaguers could represent their countries in a true World Series.Imagine the excitement that would be generated when PedroMartinez of the Dominican Republic faced Mark McGwire of theU.S. He was an All-SEC offensive guard in 1997 and 1998 and a first-team All-American in 1997. But as good as he was, Brandon was also a late bloomer he was only 17 his senior year and he was still a little undersized for college ball. [3], After his career with the Razorbacks, Burlsworth was invited to the NFL combine. [21], The Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps are for children going into third grade through ninth grade. Brandon Burlsworth was born September 20th, 1976 in Harrison, Arkansas. He tragically died in a car accident 11 days after being drafted. At the point when he hadn't shown up by 4, Brandon's brother, Marty got a concerned call from his mother and went to her home. "I took the player's helmet and put it on," said Tice. Sure, bring him on up for a game, he said. His final game with the team was in the 1999 Citrus Bowl. His promotional fact sheet said coaches told Brandon he was not good enough to get the opportunity to play.. He was Arkansas's first All-American player since 1993 and their first player selected to a first-team squad since 1989. I couldn't believe the quotes from J.D. Brandon Burlsworth played offensive tackle for the University of Arkansas from 2004 to 2007. Bang, what a great assessment that turned out to be. Heather's classes are empowering like nothing you will ever encounter. He graduated from high school in 1994 and was recruited as a football player for the University of Arkansas. Tice said Burlsworth got to the weight room early -- often arriving before the coaches - and stayed late. I know he had to be there because we know the story. His death occurred as he was returning home from a training session in Fayetteville. I fear our support of the Kingsand excitement over their advancement to the playoffs cloudedour better judgment. After he redshirted his first year (1994), he transformed his pudgy 300lb (140kg) frame into a svelte 260lb (120kg), and, over the next two years, built himself back up to a muscular 300lb (140kg) offensive guard. He said he wanted to hold football camps and bring kids to his NFL games. Whether Im driving around town, past the baseball park where we used to play catch, past the Razorbacks signs on front lawns, I feel his presence. If it meant bringing a basket of baseballs to the park so he could work on his hitting and pitching, I wanted to be there. He wasnt as tall or as heavy as D-I colleges wanted him to be. There was a time not that long before when he was a 6-foot, 160-pound high school freshman, a "big, gangly kid" who . Time and the Lord take care of those things, but the immediate aftermath is very tough to deal with.''. --DWIGHT ANDERSON, Milford, N.Y. Nine of Burlsworth's former Arkansas teammates served as pallbearers, along with one friend from his high school. Who is Brandon Burlsworth? I kept track of how many might be left for Brandon.O.K., they gave one to that boy, thats 12 so far. It was gratifying to see recognition given to trainers(SCORECARD, June 28). ", "He literally kept his goal focused right behind his nose through his college career.". I asked Felker, the offensive play caller for Ford, if he could point out the best player on the offense. "He told me, Coach, I want to be a Razorback. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. The production designer was Lucio Seixas, and the costume designer was Keri Lee Doris. He said, 'Virgil, he's a good one and tell him right because he will do everything you tell him exactly right.' 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). He or she works long hours, isexpected to get positive results rehabilitating injuries andmust maintain a solid average in courses like anatomy,physiology and neurological-muscular development.JIM REYNOLDS, Boise, Idaho. Heather R Orrick, Heater Nichols, Heather Orrick, Heather Reneenichols and Heather Rnichols are some of the alias or nicknames that Heather has used. He was a two-time All-American and was the first member of the Arkansas football team to earn a masters degree. I remember the Harrison High coach (Tommy Tice) telling me at the high school all-star game that Brandon was coming here. Every week, Brandon made the drive home. An expression that implied do it the correct way, in any event, when nobody is looking. You have permission to edit this article. We noticed him. He pointed out Burlsworth blocking three on one play. In fact, Ed, who works for FedEx in Harrison and has three children, even named his oldest son after Brandon. He'd worked to find some linemen. Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Russ and I know that never happened. We just didn't have a good practice. At that point, Arkansas Razorback Coach, Houston Nutt started the phrase after his demise, "Do it the Burls Way". Brown said his skipping a ceremony of self-gratification to attend church was ``typi cal Burls. By that point he was about six-foot-two, over 200 pounds and still growing. But he probably didn't say a word in the locker room. He wont be going down., Well, thats good, he said, sort of laughing. Brandon was starting at right guard. Brown said the movie got it right when they showed Brandon late at night throwing a medicine ball around in the indoor workout area of the Broyles Athletic Center. But Burlsworth had more to his life than football. I can only hope I did as much as I could to help him. His awards and his many accolades are numerous but among them are earning a scholarship the first year. (NWA Media). It goes beyond words. [1] Burlsworth played on two SEC Western Division championship Razorback football teams (1995, 1998). Many more of his Arkansas teammates were in attendance. Burlsworth was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick of the 1999 NFL Draft. More than 100 members of Burlsworth's family were present and players from Harrison's football team wore their blue and yellow jerseys. Marty Burlsworth Each year the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation gives out several awards and scholarships at various school levels. He was also named to the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll every year from 19951998. [10][11] Burlsworth's vehicle clipped an oncoming 18-wheeler, swerved back into his lane, and then hit another tractor trailer head on. Brandon Burlsworth was born on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. He was projected to compete for a starting job next season. Garrett expects to see Houston Nutt and other coaches from those teams. ``Around here in this town, he was the man,'' Marty Burlsworth told the paper. The Colts retired his jersey number, 77, and created the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nations most outstanding collegiate walk-on. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance. Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. "As we got to know Brandon it was evident he was embarking on a long and successful NFL career." This has been a pretty big year for me tra. 1999 The Associated Press. Burlsworth was a recruited walk-on in every sense of the word. Some things are fuzzy from 20 or 30 years ago, but I remember that pretty well. He is a voter for the Heisman Trophy and has been inducted into the Arkansas Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame. But Brandon would stay on campus, working painting the stadium, setting up dorms, things like that and taking classes. Every NFL offensive linemen I've ever had, they ran like that, Horton said. And then there was this walk-on from Harrison. Brandon was home. . [13], After his death, family and friends established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in honor of his work ethic and Christian values. He wasthatgood. Collective Bias' innovative Shopper Social Media platform connects authentic, real . In a few weeks hed be heading back. 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. [citation needed], The Brandon Burlsworth Championship Award is presented at the Arkansas state football championship games to one player from each team for conduct above and beyond expectations. Others there included Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles, Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt, former Arkansas coach Danny Ford and Baltimore Colts president Bill Polian. I said I was going to the UofA. Then, just a few months later, Brandon was killed in a car accident. He couldn't go anywhere without signing autographs, which never bothered him. He was a Razorback. Primarily, these students come from working families who cannot afford extras like eye care and do not qualify for state funded programs. I don't recall him around that first semester at all.. On January 16, 2016, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, hosted an exclusive screening of Greater. 2?JEFF GOSS, North Providence, R.I. "There wasn't a better person than Brandon Burlsworth," Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said. Greater: Directed by David L. Hunt. It breaks my heart that millions of readers will get to know an individual of Brandon Burlsworth's character not during his life but after his death. He was a member of the Razorback football team for two years in 1995 and 1998, and every year from 1995 to 1998, he was named to the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll. Brandon Burlsworth was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He's been struggling, but we hope he can make it. Additionally, a Razorback football player who began his career as a walk-on but then earned a football scholarship is honored as the year's Burlsworth Athletic Scholar. "He listened, then just did it," said Tice. We wanted Brandon. Have a comment on this story? The drive would always take around an hour and a half but he never made it. He was preparing to marry Heather Nichols. Brandon came up to me and asked me if he still had to eat from the green label line. He can really run. Tice also told of a time when he'd become agitated with another lineman during practice and told the team to watch. Burlsworth was lauded by those who knew him as a tireless worker, a perfect gentleman and a strong Christian. 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. I just didn't see it.. Yet Ford agreed to let Brandon show up as a "preferred walk-on.". A screenplay titled Greater: The Brandon Burlsworth Story was written based on the book. 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. He just never sought the limelight. He asked me to help him, but theres all this certification that goes into being an agent. I think Brandon would be proud of the work were doing in his name. 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. 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.". #inline-recirc-item--id-b47cc06a-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { He was my brother and I just wanted everything for him. On the tape, he delivered crushing blocks to protect quarterback Clint Stoerner and punched holes in defensive lines for Arkansas running backs. On stage near the casket was Burlsworth's No. And he justdominatedon the field didnt matter if he was on defense or offense. Collective Bias. I don't know that anyone else saw it. He graduated from Harrison High School and was a recruited walk-on football player at the University of Arkansas. '', Said Schaeffer, ``He's in a lot better place than the rest of us. After returning to its lane briefly, the car crossed the center line again and hit a second tractor trailer. So Mom, Brandon and I piled into my minivan and we drove over to Fayetteville. As everyone knows, in footballyou have to wear a helmet. Two buses of Razorbacks players arrived. And I could see a little white car parked in her driveway. Brandon Burlsworth's first act as a wealthy NFL offensive tackle was going to be to buy himself a bigger car. The book contains a foreword by former University of Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles and was the inspiration for a movie (see below). I thought, 'Man, this guy is giving effort still.' Brandon Burlsworths family has been through a lot in the past few years. High school awards include the Brandon Burlsworth High School Football Awards. He called to check in a couple of times. Know he had to eat from the article title ) telling me at the high school 1994! 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