Coleman had seen the suffering Ratliff had been through. He keeps getting knocked down and coming back.. Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. check will go to Burlsworth's former high school for its scholarship fund and the other was presented to Arkansas, his alma mater. 172.104.178.68 "I kept coming back to comparisons with Brandon. I never lost my faith and that first night, after everyone had gone home, I grabbed my wife and my moms hand and we prayed. 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.. He never got there, dying in. "GREATER" tells the story of Burlsworth, a former college walk-on, who would go on to earn All-America honors at the . Q: I remember hearing how as a high school sophomore that Brandon didnt look anything like a future SEC player. Miranda Valles, 21, died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend on I-290. Every place starts with a cadence and ends with a whistle. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier in the wake of gaining first-group All-America respects as a fifth-year senior, was involved with a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer around 15 miles outside Harrison and was killed. If Arkansas could just run the clock and punt the ball deep, theyd likely upset the top-ranked Vols in Neyland Stadium. "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. . He died in a car crash on April 28, 1999, shortly after he was drafted by the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Ill never understand, but I know that thousands of kids have been helped through Brandons foundation and so many great things have come from our tragedy. The comment about the carving is true, but the imagery of the piece is a little deeper. "No problem, I'm used to it," quipped Burlsworth, who popped the lens of his eyeglasses out and smiled away. "I sent one of those shirts to the funeral home and Brandon was buried in it," said Barbara. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. After his time at the University of Arkansas ended, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to realize his NFL dreams. 1. Burlsworth, 22, a third-round draft pick from Arkansas, was killed in a car crash less than a half-hour from home Wednesday. Ratliff continued playing football for the love of the game. 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. Few of them, though, have followed the same road as Brandon Burlsworth. He became very active in the youth group. He had fresh legs and blew up the play.. Brandon was a walk on turned All American at the University of Arkansas. https://t.co/UV3TEAGddV, Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) August 29, 2019, @espn Amazing photo and article. Burlsworth, whose heavy frame and thick, black-rimmed . But that same night, April 28, Mudd received a phone call from a newspaper reporter, asking him, "Have you heard about Brandon Burlsworth?" Burlsworth had been killed in a car accident. He inspires people. 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. (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. His life and career, however, ended in tragedy rather than triumph. 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 film shows Brandon receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas Tech University. Ratliff and Coleman were suite mates, so they knew each other well off the field. In reality he also had one from Henderson State University. Brandon burlsworth dies on arkansas highway after head on collision with tractor trailer. He was drafted in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft to protect oddly enough former Vol quarterback Peyton Manning. "It would have been great to see Brandon play, but it wasn't God's plan. That wasn't the way it's supposed to be, and that's what you accept.". 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. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. He became a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. We're going to be fine.' Carrolton ap former arkansas offensive guard brandon burlsworth died in a car crash as he headed home to harrison from fayetteville officials said. All-American ( 1998) 2 First-team All-SEC ( 1997, 1998) Arkansas Razorbacks No. https://t.co/Ny448gVZWB, A really cool story by @ADavidHaleJoint on @GeorgiaTechFBs @pharvin27 and his role as a groundbreaker and an inspiration to other young punters. That says it all. Were going to get the ball back.. Mom and I picked him up at the airport when he came home. His story is the subject of movie that debuts Friday called. "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!" Q: Brandons life seemed to have incredible highs and lows. Burlsworth first caught the eye of Mudd at the Senior Bowl, just prior to the Combine. I remember Al on the sideline screaming at us and telling us, We cant lose to Arkansas, Ratliff said. See production, box office & company info, Well-done and inspiring faith-based movie, Mike & Mike: Episode dated 23 August 2016. Playing on the offensive line is not a "glamour" position, but he was still one of the most popular players on the team. 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. Im not sure what coach Nutt was thinking about, Ratliff said. Mock Draft Monday, our weekly roundup of experts' predictions for who the Colts will take in the NFL Draft, is back with the NFL Combine getting underway in Indianapolis this week. "I still believe he'd have had become one of the better guards in the NFL," said Mudd. I asked Barbara about what her son's faith meant to him. You sow a habit, you reap a character. "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. On the practice field, a dedicated and fully-focused Burlsworth did not remove his helmet or unbutton his chin strap. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Hewalked on at Arkansas in 1994 after having zero FBS scholarship offers and eventually became team captain and a two-time All-SEC pick. 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.". I cant imagine losing a child at that age. There was no overlooking those two foes like the Vols might have done against Arkansas. Under the organizations umbrella, there are multiple programs. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. A UT win would mean the Vols national title hopes would stay alive. When I heard Brandon passed away, it hit home, Ratliff said. **CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE OF BRANDON BURLSWORTH IN 1999 ROOKIE CAMP**. The offensive guard had been named an All-American and a two-time All-SEC First Team player. Tice, now the athletic director for Huntsville, said he's never donned another helmet. Also not included in the film is that Brandon and Marty also have a brother named Grady. "He loved the coaching staff and grew close to Coach Mudd immediately," said Marty. "Brandon felt very good about getting on the field and beginning the next step of his career. He knew he could be going against Bruce Smith on opening day. He was already getting ready for that challenge.". Brandon Burlsworth excelled in high school football, making All-Conference and All-State. College GameDay Built by the Home Depot airs Saturday at 9 a.m. We certainly didnt write the script, but we felt our opinions were always welcome. 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? The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation will be honoring Kevin Scanlon of Stephens Inc. with the 2023 Legends Award. I think about that all the time.. You can see through the movie that the way he lived his life and how his family reacted answers the question of what to do when these things happen.. Billy was great. After his rise to prominence at Arkansas, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to make the leap to the NFL. Gainey Coach Ford Wayne Duvall Pastor Rick Mark Dobies Coach Nutt Grant Cook Grant Garrett Josh Emerson Nathan Ward Ethan Waller Young Brandon Todd Julian "Brandon was such a humble person who cared about and respected others," she continued. The game was essentially over, as were Tennessees national championship hopes. I pushed Brandon back. We had never had a problem with anybody in the SEC but Florida. The temperature was a balmy 77 degrees. His name was Brandon Burlsworth, and a new movie in theaters this weekend - Greater (PG) - tells the incredible story of the chubby kid who wasn't recruited by any big-name colleges out of high school but proceeded to walk on with the home-state Arkansas Razorbacks, earn a scholarship, and become an All-American offensive lineman. They (Arkansas) did a good job of game-planning on us. By what name was Greater (2016) officially released in India in English? Yet Ford agreed to let Brandon show up as a "preferred walk-on.". Cutcliffe decided to do just that. Recently, I did a Q&A with his older brother Marty, who was instrumental in Brandons life. Brandon burlsworth accident report BURLSWORTH KILLED IN CRASH. A mother losing a child at that young age, it was tough. Why did he have to die when he had everything to live for? https://t.co/FFBoin68fO, Subscribe to our newsletter to get daily updates, Tom Rinaldi interviews Barbara Burlsworth, mother of the late Brandon Burlsworth. The Comfort Inn's scrolling marquee was simple, but also eerie: ``Remember Brandon Burlsworth,'' followed by the time and temperature. Now, a careless fumble? Brandon Burlsworth died from a car accident just eleven days after being drafted. 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. 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Reindl went on to say that the 11 years spent making the movie were not about personal glory, but about telling a great story of faith and trust and how to apply them in everyday life. Brandon burlsworths first act as a wealthy nfl offensive tackle was going to be to buy himself a bigger. #HistoricHog pic.twitter.com/xBCanCzixz. The football fraternity had great expectations from the talented young man but fate had other plans and he was killed in an accident. 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. Arkansas needed 12 yards for the first down, but that wasnt even necessary. Personal Life & Death. #OvercomingTheOddsParalympian Scout Bassett embraces her story of scars, survival ESPN https://t.co/HHMSCULYIU, Lillian Jackson (@diamondlil1016) August 29, 2019, Friends, I spent the day with Arsenals Gunnersaurus Rex. In this 1999 photo, the locker of Brandon Burlsworth is seen encased in glass in the locker room at the University of Arkansas.