Or Kurt Rambis, the funny-looking center for the Los Angeles Lakers. After his death at a young age, the football community came together to pay tribute to his achievements and his family and friends built a foundation in his name. During his first year, he faced a delay in earning his eligibility and worked hard to transform his 300lb chubby physique into a moderate 260lb body. And in Arkansas it was a statewide tragedy. We drove it to death. The University of Arkansas prides itself on doing things the "Burls Way.". Marty's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown; and religious views are listed as Christian. Thats pretty tough. The family respectfully declined. Walk-on player from Harrison, Ark., considered a long shot to get real playing time. Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. The family respectfully declined. Im sure he just got stuck in traffic, or maybe ran out of gas. He wasnt as tall or as heavy as D-I colleges wanted him to be. It was just something that we thought of, you know. "People are seeing it for the first time, and that's really cool," Marty said. "I was interested," he said of those early calls from Hollywood. A shepherd during his younger brother's life, he would become a keeper of his legacy as well. Marty speaks nationwide on developing character and overcoming adversity. Marty Burlsworth is available to appear at special events as his schedule allows. So that was kind of the stamp of approval there, plus theyre Christians and they didnt want to lose that faith aspect. But [the death was] not the ending. Each Wednesday, he came back to take his mother, Barbara, to chapel. Marty Burlsworth, 55, and who was 38 when Brandon died, says they were approached by Hollywood about making a film around Brandon's story many years ago. . Brandon, Martys younger brother by 16 years, was tragically killed in an auto accident on April 28, 1999, just 11 days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. But almost every boy growing up in the state wants to be a Razorback. By his senior year, Brandon was an all-conference and all-state player and played in the states All-Star Game. He was my brother and I just wanted everything for him. Follow him on Twitter. If you followed the SEC back then, you may remember the Brandon Burlsworth story. Brandons older brother Marty started the foundation after Brandons death in 1999. I'd traveled to Razorback Stadium for decades - long considered it the SEC's most hospitable hostile environment - so I thought I knew the story of Arkansas football legend Brandon Burlsworth. At that moment, we both felt so close to his dream coming true something that wasnt even a possibility for a boy who had been sitting on the sidelines just two years ago. The movies response to this question comes in the form of a metaphor. When I turned on to the street behind Moms house, I could see her driveway through this little opening between houses. Brandon was so single-minded, so focused. It just seemed like it was just a storybook thingwith a at that time just seemed like a bad ending Its such a great story, how can it be told, you know? And would you believe it, it was the Indianapolis Colts who took him. In 1996, he earned himself a scholarship and also sealed his own starting place as a right guard on the offensive line for the Arkansas Razorbacks. The foundation has also worked with Walmart/Sam's Optical Department and independent optometrists throughout Arkansas to provide eye care to thousands of school students. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. I dont how many times Id call to check in.Coach, ya need anything?Id sit every week with the newspaper. And then apparently that thought process was also out there in California we did hear from some that approached us but one thing I wasnt 100 percent sure [of] was the commitment level over there which was why when Reindls wife said [when] he sets his mind to it, he gets it done, you know, Ive always heard that in Hollywood [scripts] can sit on the shelf forever. arkansas football. The drive would always take around an hour and a half but he never made it. But before all that, Brandon made one last trip to Fayetteville to visit with his Razorbacks teammates. Brandon was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. (as David Hunt) (directed by) Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Produced by Music by Stephen Endelman . Birthday: September 20, 1976 ( Virgo) Born In: Harrison, Arkansas, United States 113 30 American Football Players #138 Sportspersons #1083 Quick Facts Also Known As: Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth Died At Age: 22 Family: father: Leo Burlsworth mother: Barbara Burlsworth siblings: Grady Burlsworth, Marty Burlsworth Died Young American Football Players His faith is what he relied on. Sometimes Marty goes by various nicknames including Marty L Burlsworth and Marty Leo Burlsworth. COINCIDENCES. Barbara Burlsworth. In 2001, "Eyes of a Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story" by Jeff Kinley was released. And I was equally impressed with Missy, his wife [They] live in Fayetteville and they drove over to Harris to meet with us and she said Whatever he sets his mind to, he gets done that resonates with me because that was like Brandon. News. He is married to Vickie who serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation. Marty Burlsworth: Burlsworth Photography: Address: 117 W Central Harrison AR 72601 map Phone: 870-741-5111 : Branch Photography : Keith Branch: Branch Photography: Address: 4850 Mission Blvd Fayetteville AR 72703 map Phone: 479-973-0012 Burlsworth was also Arkansas' first All-American player since 1993 and was also on the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll from 1995 to 1998. The Passion of the Christ actor talks about the challenges of playing iconic roles and why good movies arent always family-friendly. Brian Reindl, writer and producer of "Greater," said he loved the opportunity to tell such an incredible story in his first-ever production. Greater is playing in limited release (find theaters). At the point when he showed up, he saw the rear of a white vehicle that he from the start thought was Brandon's. He said he wanted to hold football camps and bring kids to his NFL games. I think the overall message of the film is we can learn from this and my character in the movie may not be 100 percent the way it is or the way it was, but that doesnt really matter. Now, more than ever, with the success of GREATER, he enjoys meeting the fans of his brother Brandon and encouraging others to Do it the Burls Way. 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. Possible relatives for Marty Burlsworth include Roselee Arnold, Keshia Flowers, Brady Burlsworth and several . | At one point on the gridiron, Brandon argues with a teammate that their perspective on the field is limited; the coach has information from a higher perspective, from a skybox where the whole field can be seen, and they need to trust him. Currently you are able to watch "Greater" streaming on fuboTV, Hoopla, DIRECTV or for free with ads on Peacock, Peacock Premium, The Roku Channel, VUDU Free, Tubi TV, Redbox, Crackle, Pluto TV, Freevee. Brandon was the first ever Arkansas player to complete his masters degree before he appeared in his final game against the University of Texas. Evelyn lives in North Little Rock, AR with her husband, Paul, two sons, Bo and Owen, and dog Layla. Powered by WebJIVE ~ Featured on the Harrison Arkansas Network. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. Brandon doesnt start out with all that promise. near you, Up-to-date reports of crimes near Company Credits He was buried at the Gass Cemetery in Omaha, Arkansas, on May 2, 1999. That was very very tough. Locations and showtimes are available onwww.greaterthemovie.com. The film covers the issues he had with his weight and his incredible work ethic that earned him a chance. In November 1998, the Razorbacks were 8-0, ranked 10th in the country, and playing at No. By that point he was about six-foot-two, over 200 pounds and still growing. Along with Brandons rise, Greater equally focuses on the loss experienced by Brandons family, especially his brother Marty, and the questions about Gods goodness that are stirred by the heartache and grief. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an American football player who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks as an offensive lineman between 1995 and 1998. We didnt expect Brandon to go real high, and we had been told that he wouldnt. It seemed as if the whole town was there to support Brandon and who he was and what he meant to everybody. We were going to Fayetteville for the game and I called him early in the week to tell him where our seats would be. I didn't see it in the theater. Not that it got him very far initially. It was my dream, too, and I sure worked hard at it. Now, more than ever, with the success of GREATER, he enjoys meeting the fans of his brother Brandon and encouraging others to. His Subaru clipped an incoming 18-wheeler and then collided head-on with a tractor-trailer in Alpena, Arkansas. "Brian wouldn't let go.". But with no scholarship offer coming from Arkansas, Brandon bypassed offers from smaller schools and accepted the invitation to be a preferred walk-on at Arkansas. Surely God will hear Brandons prayer, if not his own; the prayer of a righteous man avails much, and if anyone is righteous, its Brandon. And that spring, the Burls boys found themselves in Indianapolis at the combine. The mindset, which is inspired by former student Brandon Burlsworth, is all about doing things "the best you can," high school football coach Tommy Tice told "GMA.". And the only element bigger than excessive faculty soccer in Harrison or anywhere else . ", Forgotten? Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. And the first call I made was to the recruiting coordinator at Arkansas. Proudly created with Wix.com. Whether it was in Fayetteville, or in Knoxville or Tuscaloosa, we had an unspoken rule: We were going to Brandons games. Sure, bring him on up for a game, he said. While the film might not give Burlsworth enough credit for what talent he did have no one goes from walk-on to All-American without some ability he did always seem to have a knack for doing what seemed impossible. Now, if you find yourself at that Colts shop, I told him, You make sure and get us some gear this time.. Had you ever thought of Brandons story as a film? He slept either in his little room at his mother's house or at his brother Marty's, to be close to his three nephews. One weekend when I was driving with Brandon to campus I think maybe it was his junior year a thought crossed my mind. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, executive producer / producer (produced by), Managing Director: My Spotlight Independent & MY Production, hair stylist: additional photography / makeup artist: additional photography, second second assistant director (as Izzy Cowell), assistant stunt coordinator / stunt performer, casting director: Arkansas / extras casting / local casting, assistant to composer / music preparation, driver / driver: cast / production driver, production accountant (as Andrew Grey Johnson), very special thanks: the fayetteville volunteer fire department, very special thanks: the arkansas state film commission, special thanks (as Sheriff Steve Grundek), special thanks (as Pastor Ervin Hutchinson), special thanks (as Prinicpal Bill Keaster), special thanks (as Coach Norman Mitchell), very special thanks: the university of arkansas and the university athletic department. Ive heard the director say many times what weve done is [put] that [whole] first year [after the accident] in Neals piece in this movie. We watched the game from this conference room at the top of the stadium. Trust. So when Brandon got it in his mind that he was going to be a Razorback, I was all in. Im sure Josh Wheaton, the young apologist in Gods Not Dead, would know all the right things to say to Searcys character, but then Searcy wouldnt be permitted to make his case so eloquently in a movie like Gods Not Dead, if he were allowed to appear at all. And if Brandon was doing whatever he could on the field, then I sure as heck would do whatever I could to help get my brother there. All of Razorback nation mourned along with the shell-shocked residents of his Boone County hometown; after everything he'd overcome to reach all-America status, it seemed impossible even death itself had the power to stop him. FAYETTEVILLE 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.. There are about 11,000 people in town and one unspoken rule: If its Friday night, youre going to the Harrison High football game. I used to want the longest life, perfect health and happiness, but really it is that feeling that I am so glad that this isnt all there is and that we have heaven to wait for, and that well be with Jesus, and there will be no more tears Amber VanVickle (1982-2023), The headquarters of the charity, which serves as a consecrated family to 46 disabled children, were badly damaged in major flooding near Rio de Janeiro last year. company, Get valuable lists emailed directly It demanded an audience larger than you could pack into Razorback Stadium for 60 minutes of weekend celebration in the fall - or into the Harrison High School gym on a spring day of mourning. Marty Burlsworth, in the aftermath of Brandon's death, suffers a crisis of conscience that questions his . He had planned to help underprivileged children, and his. 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. The brothers age difference is the basis for one of the movies running gags, Martys discomfort at being mistaken for Brandons father. He put on weight before enrolling at Arkansas, but it was a bad 40 or so pounds that he eventually had to melt before. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. Small sins lead to big sins, and big sins bring about a terrible spiritual darkness. Even his peers saw an innocent kid who just didn't understand why he couldn't make it in college football, and certainly not the NFL. His screenplay grew out of the book Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story, by Jeff Kinley. In the award's twelfth year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas Walk . Its what he leaned on to work as hard. Official Sites | Brandons number 77 became one of only two numbers retired in Arkansas Razorback football history. He received many scholarship offers from smaller universities but eventually chose to become a walk-on football player for the University of Arkansas. Not like my younger brother Brandon. Release Dates 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 school was going to give Brandon a scholarship. But that summer Brandon had two things going for him: His work ethic and, luckily, a pretty big growth spurt. French Monastery Survives War and Famine After 885 Years, the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan, and More Great Links! print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the He called to check in a couple of times. When he set his mind to something, you better believe you were going to witness him do it. you, Subscribe to The Daily 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. Filming & Production
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