Unfortunately, Brandon was tragically killed in a head-on automobile collision just 11 days after the draft." Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks Football Team from 1995 to 1998. . Eleven days after being the 63rd pick in the draft, Burlsworth. Now, you can't control who your mom and daddy is, but you can control how hard you work. Yet Ford agreed to let Brandon show up as a "preferred walk-on.". He never got there, dying in. 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. However, he was killed in an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. I think about that all the time.. That Burlsworth was in the accident was completely like the unselfish person who established a cult following while a Razorback. Marty Burlsworth: Brandon had entered high school early, so he graduated at 17 years old and was still growing. Burlsworth was killed in a traffic accident last wednesday as he drove from working out at the university of arkansas in fayetteville to his home in harrison a city of about 11000. Brandon Burlsworth rose from a walk-on to a legitimate player at Arkansas 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. The coach said he managed to get back to his feet, still surrounded by the team. He definitely was, Coleman said. 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. The book, Eyes of a Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story, was delivered in 2001. We support responsible gambling. That wouldnt be the case. State police Cpl. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. They came to town to interview everyone and get photographs for the magazine. Good fortune was certainly on the Vols side against Arkansas. Departments offer new classes across campus, Student Association hosts first birthday bash. There were times when he was almost late to games because he would never turn a kid down for an autograph or anything.. Phillip was saying Weve got to throw it. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on-coming lane. Two collisions followed, and the life of a wonderful human with vast talents was over. 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. His story is the subject of movie that debuts Friday called. Brandon Burlsworth, Indianapolis Colts. If Billy Ratliff is still out here playing, whatever injury I have, it cant be that bad, Coleman said. Id never heard it before. Not exactly. [3] The final carry was a 1-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds left and an eventual 28-24 win. 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I know his teammates respected him for the work he put in and his incredible dedication. Now, a careless fumble? He is a great story about a guy who overcame huge obstacles through hard work, determination and perseverance. History happened, he said. 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. He was on his way back to Harrison, his hometown, following a workout in Fayetteville. Throughout his football career, Brandon Burlsworth never let adversity stop him from achieving his goals. Weve got to throw it. I said No, were going to run it every down and we ran the football right down their throat.. Said Fulmer, Anybody that loves football would love that. He died in a car crash on April 28, 1999, shortly after he was drafted by the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. BURLSWORTH, 22, a third-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts on April 17, was driving on U.S. 412 when he became involved in . Hate to see Desir be the victim lol. Fulmer was a former offensive lineman who loved running the football. Rivers and Steichen worked together with the Chargers, while Turner gave Steichen his first opportunity in the NFL. 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. 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. In reality he also had one from Henderson State University. However, the player some consider the best walk-on in college football history was tragically killed in a car accident just 11 days later. Among UT fans, his name is synonymous with the Arkansas fumble. After his time at the University of Arkansas ended, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to realize his NFL dreams. Coleman recalled seeing Ratliff, who was over 300 pounds, dunk a basketball with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Published: Wednesday, August 24, 2016. He went to Harrison High School and graduated from there. They award eighteen $5,000 academic scholarships, and one $10,000 Walk-0n athletic scholarship each year. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Stoerner tried to balance himself with right hand. The film shows Brandon receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas Tech University. 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. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. All rights reserved. Carrolton (AP) - Former Arkansas offensive guard BRANDON BURLSWORTH died in a car crash as he headed home to Harrison from Fayetteville, officials said. He was on his heels and I was like, Im not going to stop pushing.'. 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. Brandon had always dreamed of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but was considered too short and too fat to play Division I. Undeterred, Brandon took a big risk and walked on in 1994. . To this day, I still think if he would have fulfilled (his career), wed be talking All-Pro and Hall of Fame Brandon Burlsworth right now., NEXT: David Cutcliffe throws Vols a curveball just before National Championship Game. 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. The foundation encourages a strong faith, character, and sportsmanship, developing positive values, and a life pattern that would exemplify Doing It The Burls Way.. 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. In fact, Ed, who works for FedEx in Harrison and has three children, even named his oldest son after Brandon. 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.. (Zac Budman/ESPN), The Burlsworth Award trophy (Zac Budman/ESPN), Ruettiger, the famed former Notre Dame football walk-on], ESPN Producer Michelle Rosenhouse Makes the Most of Memorable Moments, Journalism Showcase: SC Featured Highlights Cheyney States Remarkable 1982 Womens Basketball Team, Inside ESPN Marketings XFL Spot Bring It In, Journalism Showcase: SportsCenter Reporter Dives Into Growth of Girls Youth Flag Football. Offensive lineman brandon burlsworth went from walk on to all american during his career at arkansas before dying in a car crash just after the 1999 nfl draft. He was a gentle giant with an instinct to win. Brandon's family established an establishment in 1999 to respect him. Brandon Burlsworth is growning from an unwanted accident of a child, to an abnormally large teenager, to a high school football . 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. Playing on the offensive line is not a "glamour" position, but he was still one of the most popular players on the team. It was meant to be.. 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.". He went to Harrison High School and graduated from there. brandon burlsworth foundation to honor stephens inc. kevin scanlon with legends award From @RazorbackFB walk-on to All-American, Brandon Burlsworth's story makes him a Razorback to remember. ", Tammy and Danny Roth of Harrison were friends of the Burlsworths. #HistoricHog pic.twitter.com/xBCanCzixz. He declined both, insisting instead on joining the Razorbacks as a walk-on. 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. Surely, UT head coach Phillip Fulmer called the shots given his background. Brandon Burlsworth was in a car accident and was announced dead at the scene on April 28, 1999. "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. Why did he have to die when he had everything to live for? The team broke into laughter. Hewalked on at Arkansas in 1994 after having zero FBS scholarship offers and eventually became team captain and a two-time All-SEC pick. Inspiring to watch his football and his story change others around him and his journey towards wholeness. Fifteen years. So sad, so much promise, such a terrific person. "GREATER" tells the story of Burlsworth, a former college walk-on, who would go on to earn All-America honors at the . UT linebacker Al Wilson witnessed his teammates proclamation to Martin on the sideline. The offensive guard had been named an All-American and a two-time All-SEC First Team player. The comment about the carving is true, but the imagery of the piece is a little deeper. Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these. 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. ESPN College GameDay 8-31-19 #WeTrust pic.twitter.com/x3UCtOjLLf, Burlsworth Trophy (@BurlsworthTrust) August 29, 2019. 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.". Its hard not to imagine what kind of player Ratliff would have been had he not been injured so often. Had he joined the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon Burlsworth probably would have made quite the impact on the football field. The family picked Brandon up at the airport after the rookie camp. He was sore from the work, but expressed comfort with his teammates and the size of Indianapolis. Billy Ratliff had every opportunity to give up during that game because that kid was giving him the business, the entire game.. The youth center in Harrison, Arkansas . 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. "If God ever made the perfect person, it was that guy," said then teammate Sacha Lancaster to Sport Illustrated. "He always said there would be time for girls later, but he had things he needed to accomplish first," said his mother, Barbara Burlsworth, a Harrison Realtor. He walked on to the University of Arkansas to become the first All-American from that program in a decade. An Arkansas loss would end the Vols dreams for a title but keep hope alive for the Razorbacks, who were surprisingly also in the national title hunt. The Vols finished the regular season by blasting Kentucky 59-21 and Vanderbilt 41-0. "We got to know a lot of Colts personnel at training camp. Through the years, we have stayed close.". Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. 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. 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. Brandon was on his way home from the university of arkansas to pick up his mother and attend church when the accident happened 11. "He spent (Tuesday) night with Joe Dean Davenport." (Joe Dean later played for the Colts.) 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. The press conference will be streamed live. The magazine did an extensive eight-page piece on him. MB: Brandon was revered pretty quickly for the obstacles that he overcame. John E. Hoover can be . Its hard not to imagine what might have been had Burlsworth not passed away when he was 22. We reviewed several different scripts over the years, and we also reviewed any revisions that were made of significance. 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. He had absolutely no quit in him. Among the past recipients: Cleveland Browns star and former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and Hunter Renfrow, a recent Clemson standout receiver now in his rookie year with the Oakland Raiders. Suddenly, the Vols had the ball in Arkansas territory with time to mount a more conventional drive. It was apparently a shocker to a few of the reviewers here, but Greater includes some Christian themes in it. Recently, I did a Q&A with his older brother Marty, who was instrumental in Brandons life. Stoerner lost his grip as he seemingly laid the ball on the ground. Instead, he did set goals and worked hard to achieve them.". There was only one problem. Although he never played a down in the NFL, he had impressed Mudd enough during mini-camp that. During the summer after his sophomore year, he had a big growth spurt, enough where he was able to get playing time on the varsity. "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.". Since 2010, the Burlsworth Trophy has been handed out to the best player in college football who started his career as a walk-on. Q: What was the relationship like between your brother and folks from Arkansas? Its no surprise that Wilson, who was on the sideline with a torn groin, was leading the charge to get the ball back late in the game. Think about how much it must have hurt Russell to keep this secret, and how much he's risking by coming out now while trying to revive his NFL career. 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. "There are people in the organization we feel close to. I'm still asked by people in Harrison about the Colts, and I tell them about our close relationship to this day. Arkansas is impressed with the Colts, no doubt about that.". He said that the message spoke of the joy of living everyday life and asked big questions, making it a powerful story. The car accident happened on April 28, 1999, near Alpena when he was on his way back from his hometown of Harrison after a workout in Fayetteville. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and 11 days later was tragically killed in. His brother, Marty, and their mother, Barbara, met him at the airport in Springfield. Brandons goal growing up was to help underprivileged kids, Aaron Burlsworth said. 1976 April 28, 1999) was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on . However, every time he thinks of the fumble, its hard not to think of Burlsworth. "I couldn't stop talking to my wife about how impressive he was and what a bright future he had.". Request more info or view our 3D Seat Viewer below! Miranda Valles, 21, died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend on I-290. "Through the years, we have stayed close. We're very appreciative of Mr. Irsay and the bond his organization has with us. My mother always has gotten a Colts Christmas card. We've kept a feeling of being a part of Brandon's team.". 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. The fundraising event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. He didnt do it on his own, White said of Stoerners fumble. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He was killed in a car accident just days after the 1999 NFL Draft. 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. 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. Draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. 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 . 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. **CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE OF BRANDON BURLSWORTH IN 1999 ROOKIE CAMP**. 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. I hope he finds a home on an NFL team, and more than that hope he finds peace. After being six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds as a senior at Harrison High School in 1993, Burlsworth grew almost three inches and added 30 pounds by the following spring. It was one of those games where we always thought we were going to win, Ratliff said. You like to see those kinds of things happen in sports. "He'd be completely blown away by all this attention focused on him. Administration enforces faculty reductions to rightsize Larger than life: Family, friends, co-workers Student Health Services offers nurse practitioner, Bison basketball teams drive season further, Police investigate apartment shootings in Searcy, New shopping opportunities come to Searcy. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . 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.". 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. 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? Said Martin, It was really good for us as a team to win in the fashion we won. Considering the medical issues, an NFL career wasnt likely in the works. You want to just tell the story as if no one had ever heard it before. We dont know why, but we do know that we will see him again. With the tragic way he died, how did you make sense of it all? Few of them, though, have followed the same road as Brandon Burlsworth. [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. Eyes of a Champion, for example, helps provide free vision exams and glasses to low to moderate income, uninsured children. Burls Kids, which operates in both Arkansas and Indianapolis, brings children to football games and provides them with an unforgettable experience. Family members have attended one home game annually to this day. Their affinity for the franchise has been a constant. Ratliffs explosive push into the backfield caused Burlsworth to step on Stoerners foot. Ratliff and Coleman were suite mates, so they knew each other well off the field. Once his chance, though, Burlsworth seized his opportunity. My mom says that Brandons message comes through. I think the movie speaks to people in many different ways, Reindl said. The movie really addressed the question of why bad things happen to good people, Hansen said. The note arrived on the day Brandon died. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. 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. 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.. check will go to Burlsworth's former high school for its scholarship fund and the other was presented to Arkansas, his alma mater. I, for one, didnt know about it, and anyone Ive talked about it with didnt either, so I dont think you try to get too outside the box in your thinking. FAYETTEVILLE There is a great . "We attended the First Assembly in Harrison and Brandon was always there, starting at about 10 years old. 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. He was made to do it. . "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." Brandon was a guy who could have been from anywhere. Two collisions followed and the life of a wonderful human with vast. We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. 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 . Just days after the draft, tragedy struck. Email him at [emailprotected], Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Another trait that set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked of him. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He went after it without caution.". Burlsworth was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on April 28, 1999, on . You sow a habit, you reap a character. . There is some footage of the real Brandon after the last credits. Please enjoy the peak of my journalistic career. "I kept coming back to comparisons with Brandon. I struggled with the same things I think everybody does. "At Arkansas the coaches told him one day his legs could be stronger. Well, he ends up squatting 700 pounds.". His life and career, however, ended in tragedy rather than triumph. 22, who died Wednesday in an automobile accident. 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. The game was essentially over, as were Tennessees national championship hopes. When Zac Budman was assigned to produce a feature for College GameDay Built by The Home Depot on the late Brandon Burlsworth, he did his research and learned the amazing and tragic story of the former Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman.