I think he might can play for us.. He called to check in a couple of times. I can't wait, Brown said. Burlsworth graduated in 1994 from Harrison High School, where he was an All-State selection and volunteer walk-on football player to the University of Arkansas, despite having scholarship offers from smaller universities. Recruited walk-on is correct in every sense of that phrase, Horton said. On January 16, 2016, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, hosted an exclusive screening of Greater. 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. But I don't remember Brandon in that game. Tice, now the athletic director for Huntsville, said he's never donned another helmet. It is only the second number ever retired (the other is number 12, retired in honor of Clyde Scott) by the University of Arkansas. ``Around here in this town, he was the man,'' Marty Burlsworth told the paper. The work ethic that young man displayed is anexample for us all. display: none; And I could see a little white car parked in her driveway. I came out of the cafeteria and he was sitting on a concrete wall. Garrett, Brown and Burlsworth lettered four straight years, 1995-98. Burlsworth's hometown preacher, the Rev. It was composed and produced by Brian Reindl and David Hunt. Brandon Burlsworth died 10 days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1999. Well, I was on all of those trips. "We are going to retire his high school jersey. ``He was the local star. I wanted everything for Brandon, and within a few moments, it had all been taken away. Remember, this was really Danny's first full recruiting class. Burlsworth was a recruited walk-on in every sense of the word. Among the ideas: retiring his No. Harrison, Arkansas, is about as small town as it gets. Livestock. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. I never used to worry before Brandon died. It was a terrible day for Harrison, it was a terrible day for the state. 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. 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. I can only hope I did as much as I could to help him. Brandon Burlsworth was only 22 years old when he died. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. Brandon Aiyuk: Wide Receiver For The San Francisco 49ers, What Classes Should I Take In High School For Aviation, Navigating The Risks Of Adolescence: Exploring The California State University Extended Risk And Wellness Course, Take Your Education To The Next Level: Exploring High School PG Classes, Promoting The Benefits Of High School Business Classes For Student Success, When Is The Best Time To Choose High School Classes? There will be plenty of coverage of Greater, now in theaters. Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. To this day, people tell me where they were when they heard the news. Brandon Burlsworth played for Arkansas from 1995-1998. But Arkansas was the dream. 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. We planned to move out to Indianapolis with him. He walked in and it was the Pillsbury Doughboy. 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. We didnt expect Brandon to go real high, and we had been told that he wouldnt. Tice said he encouraged Burlsworth to accept scholarship offers from smaller schools when he was a senior. With Neal McDonough, Leslie Easterbrook, Christopher Severio, Michael Parks. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in partnership with Walmart/Sam's Optical Department and independent optometrists across Arkansas, provides eye care to thousands of pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade students. Two rows of flowers ran the length of the basketball court. 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. Wed been to a couple of Razorbacks games before, and Brandon had seen the stadium and sat in the stands. "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!" We still dont really know what happened that afternoon. Nutt said Burlsworth's respect from teammates was evident in that he was elected captain by a landslide. Burlsworth was heavily recruited by the University of Arkansas, but he decided to walk-on to the team instead. Not like my younger brother Brandon. 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. Sure, bring him on up for a game, he said. After the draft, he spoke to me a lot about helping other kids in Harrison. A Colts helmet was on the stage as was a collage of photographs of Burlsworth's life and career. 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. 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. Since basketball is included in the summer games, why can'tbaseball be featured indoors during its off-season? The press release stated that the change was due to "[o]verwhelming positive response from screening audiences and the desire of a national theater chain to show it in more locations". Gov. The Harrison Youth Center in Harrison, Arkansas, was renamed the Brandon Burlsworth Youth Center in May 1999. He ate only the green label items.. The Burlsworth family has also started a foundation in Brandons memory, which provides scholarships to young athletes. ). The production designer was Lucio Seixas, and the costume designer was Keri Lee Doris. Now, if you find yourself at that Colts shop, I told him, You make sure and get us some gear this time.. Brandon Burlsworths family has been through a lot in the past few years. By his senior year, Brandon was an all-conference and all-state player and played in the states All-Star Game. He's a heckuva player and he might be an All-American before he's done.. Hed be all over the line, right off the snap. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Exploring Factors To Consider. He said he wanted to hold football camps and bring kids to his NFL games. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times, weighed 308 pounds, and measured slightly below 6 feet 4 inches. There just wasnt enough space anywhere else. Nine of Burlsworth's former Arkansas teammates served as pallbearers, along with one friend from his high school. The Olympic Gold Medalist shines light on her Hispanic heritage fueling her career. According to a report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 10 was scheduled as ``Brandon Burlsworth Day'' in Harrison, with a ceremony on tap at Northwest Arkansas Community College. After this picture wassnapped, Motley dragged my father 30 more yards. I didnt mean to dismiss Moms concerns, but I just figured there was some sort of reason or explanation. The students are selected by the University of Arkansas Scholarship Committee and are recognized in a ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Hull's goal was legal. Every high school football coach in Arkansas has the opportunity to nominate one player from his team. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Those were true words.. 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.". I'll say this, please see the movie. The note arrived on the day Brandon died. Can you imagine a728-pound goaltender? ``He was the first in the weight room and the last off the field. Unfortunately, the star died in 1999, aged 22. Rick Reilly's Get the Message? He died instantly. Burlsworth was a recruited walk-on in every sense of the word. So Mom, Brandon and I piled into my minivan and we drove over to Fayetteville. 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. Brandon Burlsworth played offensive tackle for the University of Arkansas from 2004 to 2007. He had intended to help under advantaged children and the Burlsworth family settled the establishment that in his honor. 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. ``He was so good and so perfect,'' said Nutt, who met with the team Thursday afternoon. So we had guys like Grant Garrett and Russ Brown.. [4], During the 1999 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Burlsworth with the 63rd pick in the third round. Filming began on Monday, May 6, 2013, in Fayetteville, Little Rock, and Farmington, Arkansas, with a six week production shoot. They all played in the NFL., Horton hung up the phone, marched down to Ford's office. Burlsworths car crossed the center line and struck the tractor trailers left front fender. The movie was produced by Brian Reindl with co-producer Tim Duff and executive producers Brian Reindl and Neal McDonough. ``It's hard to smile. Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. Garrett expects to see Houston Nutt and other coaches from those teams. I thought I was by watching extra tape. Garrett rented a theater in Little Rock and ran down the players from Brandon's team. Interestingly, Garrett and Brown didn't see it as soon as their coaches. We tell our players that every day of life is a blessing and never take it for granted. display: none; Boy, did he have the size and did he have the skills. Having any girlfriend was something relatively new for Brandon since his focus had been solely on his family, faith, friends, football and earning his master's degree. 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. Brett Hull had about as much control over that puck as I haveover the weather. Man, you might get to play at the next level., Ah, I dont know, I just gotta focus on this season.. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American. 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. He just never sought the limelight. Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt, who coached Burlsworth for just one season, said ``several things'' are being discussed to memorialize Burlsworth. According to sources, he was focused on his professional progress and awaiting the right time to reveal his relationship. I just didn't see it.. '', Said Brown, ``He's put on a high pedestal, and he's going to be taken care of.''. Burlsworth attended the Colts' rookie camp last weekend, where he met briefly with a few Indianapolis veterans. --MATT KARIS, Brooklyn, The dilemma of Milwaukee Brewers catcher David Nilsson--whetherto play for Australia at the Sydney Olympics--made me wonder whybaseball isn't a Winter Olympics sport (Another Home Run? I had about 212,000 miles on it by the time I got rid of it. Wed, 09/08/2021 - 15:05. Clay Henry is the publisher and executive editor of Hawgs Illustrated. And if someone somewhere told him he wouldn't ever play, they didn't say that for long. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Now, I was taking calls from the same stations about Brandons death.. He was a two-time All-American and was the first member of the Arkansas football team to earn a masters degree. We noticed him. Brown said his skipping a ceremony of self-gratification to attend church was ``typi cal Burls. If it meant going over to Moms house to help him with homework, I wanted to be there. Now I remember this as clear as day, I thought to myself, 'He's not going to play.' Trending News With his remarkable skill and outstandingattitude, Burlsworth deserved to have been a media favorite foryears. I know some guys will be there who I haven't seen in 20 years.. His body was laid to rest in Gass Cemetery in Omaha, Arkansas, on May 2, 1999. #inline-recirc-item--id-b47cc06a-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-b47cc06a-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { I do know that Brandon and I met at the high school all-star game, Garrett said. Brandon Burlsworth was a walk-on offensive tackle at the University of Arkansas when he joined the team. 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