Bits and pieces are over and beyond. We noticed him. Mike Huckabee sent a letter to the Burlsworth family. I asked him about the young players, still not with the varsity. Still, with each pick, even in the first round, you get more and more nervous. As an actor, he had several roles and was an All-American in college. The former Arkansas hostile, Brandon Burlsworth was headed to his Harrison, Ark., home from Fayetteville, where he got a SEC West title ring alongside the remainder of the 1998 Razorbacks on April 28, 1999. There are a few things that aren't right in the movie. As it turned out, it was a squad car, with officials there to convey the bad news. Ive kind of been planning it that way.. Have a comment on this story? Burlsworths car crossed the center line and struck the tractor trailers left front fender. He took my call, but I couldnt tell just how interested he was. But I knew we still needed a scholarship. 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. That's the kind of stuff we had for Leotis Harris, Greg Koch and R.C. So do I.. July5). I thought, 'Tommy, what have you sent me?' So a few months after his death, we started the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, where we do all of that and more. Brandon didnt dress the first two games of his freshman season, but we found out that hed be on the field for the third. Burlsworth was pronounced dead at the scene. "I took the player's helmet and put it on," said Tice. Burlsworth's hometown preacher, the Rev. 12 Tennessee attacked the glass on both ends of the floor , Losing leads on the road has been a problem for the Razorbacks, , It had nothing to do with officiating, but no one got more , No. His unrelenting efforts in the weight room were legendary, and he shaped himself into an All-American and consensus All-Southeastern Conference guard, starting each of his last three seasons. Among the ideas: retiring his No. Brandon Burlsworth measured 6-foot-3 1/4, 308 pounds at the 1999 NFL Combine. Hull's goal was legal. Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. Brett Hull had about as much control over that puck as I haveover the weather. [19], Today, through the "Burls Kids" program, the Burlsworth Foundation provides underprivileged youths with a chance to attend Razorback and Colts football games. After the season, over the holidays, we got a call. The film shows Brandon receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas Tech University. It seemed as if the whole town was there to support Brandon and who he was and what he meant to everybody. It is the second retired football jersey in school history. 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'd be completely blown away by all this attention focused on him. 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. The Christian organization's mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the gymnasium at Harrison High School. Please enter valid email address to continue. One was center Jay Leeuwenberg. But almost every boy growing up in the state wants to be a Razorback. So when Brandon got it in his mind that he was going to be a Razorback, I was all in. This has been a pretty big year for me tra. Coach Ford didn't say please to anyone.. Greater: Directed by David L. Hunt. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But that heart and desire is what separated him from the others," Tice said. HEATHER NICHOLS, Everton, Ark. We don't own video games, and all of our computergames are either sports related or educational. Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. He was determined to drive home the same day so he could attend evening church service with the family. Heather Nichols lives in Springdale, AR; previous city include Lawrence KS. All season I watched as goal after goal was disallowed when anoffensive player had so much as a toenail in the crease. His father, Archie, was a truck driver and his mother, Olivia, was a homemaker. "We are going to retire his high school jersey. Russ and I know that never happened. By that point he was about six-foot-two, over 200 pounds and still growing. Burlsworth was lauded by those who knew him as a tireless worker, a perfect gentleman and a strong Christian. Join the discussion or start a new one on the Forums. He wasthatgood. [1] Burlsworth played on two SEC Western Division championship Razorback football teams (1995, 1998). See, Brandon started out a little scrawny. This was the dream. Thats the dream. A college-studenttrainer has it even tougher. More than 1,000 mourners gathered Saturday at the Harrison High School auditorium. [13], After his death, family and friends established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in honor of his work ethic and Christian values. Itll be real cool.. After the draft, he spoke to me a lot about helping other kids in Harrison. 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. Brandon Burlsworth was in a car accident and was announced dead at the scene on April 28, 1999. He became very active in the youth group. Eighteen students at the University of Arkansas who are primarily from smaller towns and who are characterized as academic overachievers receive $5,000 scholarships. I asked Barbara about what her son's faith meant to him. Burlsworth was heavily recruited by the University of Arkansas, but he decided to walk-on to the team instead. Now, you don't know if he is going to make it, but you knew then that he had a chance because it's a sure indicator of athletic ability.. The struggles that he had gone through to get where he was were over. Brandon knew what it was like to be doubted, to be told you werent good enough. Our parents divorced when Brandon was just two years old. Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. Get a cover. That was our first year to start, Brown said. The foundation's logo prominently features Burlsworth's signature black-framed glasses. Our line coach, Mike Bender, loves the way he moves his feet. They all reported together in the fall of 1994, and all redshirted. Boom. Brandon Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas. One weekend when I was driving with Brandon to campus I think maybe it was his junior year a thought crossed my mind. Many more of his Arkansas teammates were in attendance. in business administration. Garrett rented a theater in Little Rock and ran down the players from Brandon's team. Now, I was taking calls from the same stations about Brandons death.. On the day of his wedding, he was buried. It was composed and produced by Brian Reindl and David Hunt. Primarily, these students come from working families who cannot afford extras like eye care and do not qualify for state funded programs. Just remember this, Brandon Burlsworth was wanted at Arkansas. "There wasn't a better person than Brandon Burlsworth," Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said. A film about Brandon's existence with the working title "Greater" was shot in 2013 and was released as a feature movie on August 26, 2016. An incident like this brings that message home. We were at UCA in Conway for all-star camp. [32] However, on January 21, 2016, Hammond Entertainment, LLC announced that the release of Greater would be moved to summer 2016. We planned to move out to Indianapolis with him. 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. Another trait that set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked of him. I remember the first time I heard about Brandon Burlsworth. Burlsworth, a guard who earned second-team All-America honors as a senior last season, was remembered warmly Saturday at a funeral ceremony attended by an estimated 2,000 people at Harrison High. He may be gone, but I still want to do whatever I can to keep his dreams going, to keep his legacy going. By his sophomore season in 1996, he had earned a scholarship and a starting position at right guard on the offensive line. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Jim Inhofe looks back on his career: 'I really wanted to make a difference, and I did', State superintendent questions whether Oklahoma students should attend state colleges and universities, 'They don't make them like her anymore': Historic 1914 bungalow in The Heights restored with love, Bed Bath & Beyond to close two stores in Tulsa, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Gatesway Hot Air Balloon Festival returning after 6-year hiatus, Last day for Utica Square store is Friday, Meet the 2023 Mr. Inside/Mr. Let me tell you about 40 times for offensive linemen, if they run 5.0 to 5.1, that's special. Tragedy Strikes For The Burlsworth Family Filming began on Monday, May 6, 2013, in Fayetteville, Little Rock, and Farmington, Arkansas, with a six week production shoot. The accident occurred near Carrollton, Ark., on U.S. 412 and Carrollton Road at approximately 4:15 p.m. Burlsworth had been expected to attend a 4 p.m. ring ceremony in Fayetteville -- awarding players and coaches with their SEC West Champion and Citrus Bowl rings -- but decided to skip the ceremony to attend Wednesday worship services in Harrison. As everyone knows, in footballyou have to wear a helmet. If its difficult to describe the love for a brother, its impossible to explain the loss of a brother. 128 Jasper Yell Rd, Everton, AR 72633. According to sources, he was focused on his professional progress and awaiting the right time to reveal his relationship. 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. But I wanted to uncover the real story of Brandon's arrival at Arkansas and the first year. Burlsworth was a recruited walk-on in every sense of the word. Please subscribe to keep reading. Win the NBA championship? It has nothing to do with Brandon Burslworth. Russ and I have talked about one thing that they got wrong.. And I didnt want him to always be wondering what could have been. 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. Hed be all over the line, right off the snap. Brandon Burlsworth went from freshman walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas before being the Colts' third-round pick in 1999. Nine of Burlsworth's former Arkansas teammates served as pallbearers, along with one friend from his high school. The Colts retired his jersey number, 77, and created the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nations most outstanding collegiate walk-on. The movie was produced by Brian Reindl with co-producer Tim Duff and executive producers Brian Reindl and Neal McDonough. Trending News 12 Tennessee imposed its will against Arkansas on Tuesday night in , Hear from Eric Musselman and Ricky Council after the Razorbacks' loss at , ( ``There will be a delegation from the organization going to the services (Saturday).''. The Harrison Youth Center in Harrison, Arkansas, was renamed the Brandon Burlsworth Youth Center in May 1999. All Rights Reserved. It started with a phone call from Henderson State head coach Ronnie Kerr. 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 11,000. Boy, did he have the size and did he have the skills. 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. Thats what its all about: What you do while you were here. He couldn't go anywhere without signing autographs, which never bothered him. He had the future ahead of him, having been drafted and picked by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft. I was just so proud of him. The score for the film was by Stephen Raynor-Endelman with Andrea Von Foerster as the music supervisor. The Burlsworth family was paid by the Colts after their son, Brandon, died. 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