Brandon was elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and the UA Letterman's Association Hall of Honor in 2004. He said that the message spoke of the joy of living everyday life and asked big questions, making it a powerful story. Fate intervened. Until that point in the game, he had his way with the Vols, including Ratliff. The life and still-impactful legacy of Brandon Burlsworth Billy Ratliff was right next to me, Wilson said. 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. Shane Steichen quarterbacked Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado, Calif., where he teamed up with future Colts wide receiver Austin Collie. 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. You like to see those kinds of things happen in sports. 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. 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. 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. 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. . INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts on Sunday remembered Brandon Burlsworth, the team's third-round draft pick who died in a traffic crash before he could take his place in their offensive line. 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. The note arrived on the day Brandon died. 22, who died Wednesday in an automobile accident. Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. 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. Marty Burlsworth: Brandon had entered high school early, so he graduated at 17 years old and was still growing. Mom and I picked him up at the airport when he came home. Brandon Burlsworth Death Cause And Scene - ABTC Brandon burlsworth a second team all america guard who was recently drafted by the indianapolis colts was killed last night when his car collided with a tractor trailer rig near carrolton ark. "As time goes on, you deal with the hurt. That 'what ifs' never really go away," said Marty. "We're life-long Colts fans, always will be. Burlsworth ran a 40-yard touchdown in 4.88 seconds during the combine, more than any other player. Brandon Burlsworth movie set for general release in Arkansas The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Had he joined the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon Burlsworth probably would have made quite the impact on the football field. I think about that all the time.. He died in a car crash on april 28 1999 shortly after he was drafted by the nfls indianapolis colts. You take the ball and drive it and run almost the same play, sometimes right, sometimes left, but basically the same play and run it down their throat and win the game and dont leave hardly any time on the clock. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Anyone within earshot of Ratliff just moments before heard him call his shot. It was tough. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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. Secure the best seats & best benefits for next season, and be there live for exciting matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and more of the NFL's best opponents. We support responsible gambling. Burlsworth was so much about the right stuff that his dorm bed never was unmade. With a 3.4 grade point average, he earned bachelor's (marketing management) and master's (business administration) degrees at Arkansas before playing his final game. I promise you that ball seemed like it was there for 5 or 6 seconds.. Another trait that set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked of him. Powered by ThinkWeb, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION'S STUDENT MEDIA NETWORK AT HARDING UNIVERSITY, Faith, Trust and Character: The Life and Legacy of Brandon Burlsworth, Three players lead softball team to terrific start, Track construction nearly complete, ready to host, 22 teams compete in annual pickle ball tournament, Womens and mens tennis teams push through season, Bison baseball kicks off season with five straight wins, Harding softball begins season in Louisiana, Ambassador discusses efforts against human trafficking. "We got to know a lot of Colts personnel at training camp. Through the years, we have stayed close.". "Then I turned around and the next player I faced was Brandon. The lineman had returned from the Colts' weekend minicamp. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. I cant imagine losing a child at that age. Tice, now the athletic director for Huntsville, said he's never donned another helmet. Said Fulmer, Anybody that loves football would love that. Burlsworth 22 a third round draft pick of the indianapolis colts on april 17 was driving on us. MB: We want them to know that bad things can and will happen. Personal Life & Death. The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. There was only one problem. She agreed, and the night. Greater misses key fact. "I couldn't stop talking to my wife about how impressive he was and what a bright future he had.". That defined the Tennessee offense that year, Cutcliffe said. 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. I will never do better, and I am at peace with that. We reviewed several different scripts over the years, and we also reviewed any revisions that were made of significance. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Suddenly, the Vols had the ball in Arkansas territory with time to mount a more conventional drive. It was all inner-him -- all inner-drive. During their time of struggle, they came up with the idea for the foundation. 77 retired. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. It was the offenses turn after Ratliff proved prophetic. Hes in college at Georgia Southern. Brandon was on his way home from the university of arkansas to pick up his mother and attend church when the accident happened 11. Brandon always had a huge heart for kids. His foundation serves about 2,400 children annually through an Eyeglass program in conjunction with Walmart Optical (a long-visioned Brandon famously would hoard his per diem on football trips to buy Walmart stock). "I just thought it was a devastatingly tragic story but also an He was on his way back to Harrison, his hometown, following a workout in Fayetteville. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Unfortunately, Brandon was tragically killed in a head-on automobile collision just 11 days after the draft. Journalism Showcase: E60 Producer Discusses How New Documentary On Undefeated 72 Dolphins Puts Fresh Perspective on 50-Year-Old Story, ESPNs Gymnastics Creative Soars and Brings the Light to Friday Night Heights, Inside The Making Of Andscape Writer Jesse Washingtons MLK Weekend Essay Living In His Legacy, ESPNs Holland Mickle Roars into Action for the Injured Clemson Cub, Whats Your Beef With Jon Jones? I pushed Brandon back. I really felt like that game built character in our team because for the first time, we felt the feeling of defeat and that was a feeling we didnt want to have anymore.. The story of a small town walk-on freshman named Brandon Burlsworth transforming into a first team All-American has been inspiring to football fans of all ages, but there is much more to his legacy than most people know. 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. The more the "farmer" talked to Marty about faith and religion and making him doubt the more detailed it became. At Arkansas, the former Harrison High School player became a three-year starter and finished as an All-Southeastern Conference pick and on the Associated Press All-America second team. Candidates compete for Searcy mayor as Volleyball finishes record-breaking season at NCAA Thundering Herd welcomes high school guest Megias leads womens cross country team Basketball teams start seasons with high Community organization holds sixth annual Thankfulness Students take advantage of nearby concerts. Philip Straub said the call came in at 4:17 p.m. that there was a crash involving a car and a tractor-trailer on U.S. 412 near Carrolton. I struggled with the same things I think everybody does. Playing on the offensive line is not a "glamour" position, but he was still one of the most popular players on the team. A UT win would mean the Vols national title hopes would stay alive. Phillip was saying Weve got to throw it. "I thought it would soften the blow because there was going to be a ceremony on opening day where our family would get a framed jersey," said Marty. "Brandon hadn't been around the NFL so as a close family, we were going to live it with him. The other producers couldnt guarantee just how accurate the depiction would be. One of Fulmers favorite phrases was Pound the Rock, as in run the football until the other team breaks. We have a saying in our family, said Marty Burlsworth. 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. His story is the subject of movie that debuts Friday called. Brandon Burlsworth is growning from an unwanted accident of a child, to an abnormally large teenager, to a high school football . Tice said he also called then-Hog head coach Danny Ford and asked him to take a look at Brandon. Brandon Burlsworth was in a car accident and was announced dead at the scene on April 28, 1999. While his tragic death may have ended his football career, it didnt stop the linemans ability to change the world. #biGTime #TogetherWeSwarm https://t.co/Ak89larnux, Following a resignation for personal misconduct and an NCAA show-cause penalty, he finds a home at the conservative Christian school in Virginia. Honors College announces new faculty fellow. Certainly, football was immensely important to Brandon, but it was his character and the relationship he had with God that defined who Brandon Burlsworth really was. And I just thought it was a devastatingly tragic story but also an inspiring one., Watch the story behind GREATER. The storys been told a lot but it probably hasnt reached as many people as you think, he said. A dream shattered by tragedy - Tulsa World Rivers and Steichen worked together with the Chargers, while Turner gave Steichen his first opportunity in the NFL. Aaron Burlsworths parents, Marty and Vickie Burlsworth, are in charge of the foundation and its numerous roles from taking kids in poor financial situations to games to getting them quality eye care. He was in the prime of his football career. 1976 April 28, 1999) was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on . 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. 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. I remember Al on the sideline screaming at us and telling us, We cant lose to Arkansas, Ratliff said. With a chance to be Harrison's first full-time resident to make a professional sport, brother and agent Marty remembers draft day. However, once Marty stopped listening to him it returned to less detail. 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 Burlsworth died from a car accident just eleven days after being drafted. Request more info or view our 3D Seat Viewer below! Sow with action, you reap a habit. Now, a careless fumble? . The coach said he managed to get back to his feet, still surrounded by the team. 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. Facebook gives people the power. ESPN NHL Production Coordinator Camille Bova Does it All for the 2023 NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh, N.C. Brandon Burlsworth - Football Players, Family and Childhood "He stayed around the house and left for Fayetteville on Tuesday," Vickie says. He was a gentle giant with an instinct to win. Brian Reindl, writer and producer of Greater, said he loved the opportunity to tell such an incredible story in his first-ever production. After minicamp, he was projected by his coaches to start as a rookie. He loved the kids, Marty Burlsworth said. Brandon Burlsworth was killed in a car accident on April 28th, 1999 while driving back to his hometown when he was near Alpena, Arkansas he got involved in the accident and died on the spot. On the practice field, a dedicated and fully-focused Burlsworth did not remove his helmet or unbutton his chin strap. Tee came off the field and Billy told him, Hey man, dont put your helmet away. Greater (2016) - IMDb He didnt just lay the ball on the ground. Oh well, it was a great run. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . What you do in between, determines your legacy, so make sure you give it everything you've got until you hear that whistle. Burlsworth, 22, a third-round draft pick from Arkansas, was killed in a car crash less than a half-hour from home Wednesday. Burlsworth Trophy Announces Nominees - Burlsworth Trophy Sad to see the pain still inside him. Sure enough, it happened. 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.". Gone Too Soon: The Tragic Yet Uplifting Stories of Football Players Joe 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. Fatal crash robs Colts of a rookie barely met - tampabay.com 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. Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these. Leo Burlsworth United States Social Security Death Index Age 59 Given Name Leo Surname Burlsworth Birth Date 19 Oct 1938 State Arkansas Last Place of Residence Boone, Arkansas Previous Residence Postal Code 72601 Event Date 02 Apr 1997 ===== LEO BURLSWORTH 19 Oct 1938 02 Apr 1997 (V) 72601 (Harrison, Boone, AR) 72601 (Harrison, Boone, AR) 000 . This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. You sow a habit, you reap a character. Its very possible the two would have had many more epic battles in the NFL. He said his familys personal contribution to Brandons legacy was the Burlworth Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged kids enjoy Arkansas Razorback and Indianapolis Colts games. One of the most unusual aspects of the Arkansas fumble is that Ratliff shouldnt have been in the game at all. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The Vols won eight consecutive games to start the 1998 season before they hosted Arkansas. Colts' Burlsworth Laid To Rest - CBS News After his time at the University of Arkansas ended, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to realize his NFL dreams. That says it all. Q: What was the relationship like between your brother and folks from Arkansas? The Greatest Walk-On in the History of College Football: Brandon Burlsworth Yet Ratliff kept fighting through his injuries to help his teammates. 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. Ratliff and Coleman were suite mates, so they knew each other well off the field. The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. Coach Tice: You know, football's a rough game; it's unpredictable. My Brother Brandon - The Players' Tribune Mens cross-country places 11th at regional Christmas Market features student-owned businesses. Brandon Burlsworth Net Worth 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. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. 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.. The team broke into laughter. The temperature was a balmy 77 degrees. The foundation also runs football camps and presents several awards and scholarships. Steichen's creativity and flexibility shined when the Eagles came to Indianapolis in Week 11 of the 2022 season. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on coming lane. . Burlsworth first caught the eye of Mudd at the Senior Bowl, just prior to the Combine. 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.

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