Tickets numbering 800 were offered and sold out quickly, and another 200 were quickly sold as well. [4], During the 1999 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Burlsworth with the 63rd pick in the third round. It was composed and produced by Brian Reindl and David Hunt. And for the next three years, every Friday at 5:30 p.m., Id close up the photography studio I owned in Harrison, pick up my mom, and my wife and kids, and drive to Brandons football games. Mom and I picked him up at the airport when he came home. Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Hed be all over the line, right off the snap. While the pain of losing Brandon always will be with her and the Burlsworth family, Barbara said she's also come to recognize a larger and mysterious divine plan in all that Brandon's indomitable spirit achieved during his brief lifetime. display: block; Recruited walk-on is correct in every sense of that phrase, Horton said. Polian said Burlsworth was "a shining example" to others. "I want to make sure my steps are right on the power encounter.' "Everybody had been a little tight that day," Coach Nutt says. First, Brandons older brother, Bart, was diagnosed with cancer. Burlsworth's hometown preacher, the Rev. It breaks my heart that millions of readers will get to know anindividual of Brandon Burlsworth's character not during his lifebut after his death.MICHAEL SZAJENKO, Warren, Mich. Why is it that as an avid reader of SI, I am thoroughly familiarwith the likes of Latrell Sprewell, Albert Belle and LawrencePhillips, but until his tragic death, I had never even heard ofBrandon Burlsworth? .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Whether Im driving around town, past the baseball park where we used to play catch, past the Razorbacks signs on front lawns, I feel his presence. It is only the second number ever retired (the other is number 12, retired in honor of Clyde Scott) by the University of Arkansas. The coach said he managed to get back to his feet, still surrounded by the team. In 2001, the book Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story, written by Jeff Kinley, was released. Defensemen would not be needed. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. But as it got later in the evening and Mom got more and more worked up, I hopped into my own car to head over and see if we could find out what had happened. Vice President, Business Development. The tickets are distributed through Razorback Clubs across the state. He wont be going down., Well, thats good, he said, sort of laughing. When I turned on to the street behind Moms house, I could see her driveway through this little opening between houses. The day of Brandon's funeral was the day Brandon and I hadplanned to pick out our engagement rings. 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. Yeah, lets go buy some Colts stuff.. Every high school football coach in Arkansas has the opportunity to nominate one player from his team. "There wasn't a better person than Brandon Burlsworth," Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said. I can't believe Michael Farber devoted his Stanley Cup finalswrap-up story almost entirely to Brett Hull's controversial goal(The Bitter End, June 28). Heather's classes are empowering like nothing you will ever encounter. That's the kind of stuff we had for Leotis Harris, Greg Koch and R.C. Brandon Burlsworths family has been through a lot in the past few years. At the point when he hadn't shown up by 4, Brandon's brother, Marty got a concerned call from his mother and went to her home. So a few months after his death, we started the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, where we do all of that and more. Just remember this, Brandon Burlsworth was wanted at Arkansas. Unfortunately, the star died in 1999, aged 22. You know, Brandon, you could think about entering the draft. He played on both sides of the ball and would just blow the field up. He earned 1st team All-SEC honors in 1997 and 1998 and was selected for the 1998 College Football All-America Team. Brandon was so single-minded, so focused. 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 was just so proud of him. Nothing, nothing, nothing.DON LUCE, Los Angeles. All Rights Reserved. Each year the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation gives out several awards and scholarships at various school levels. He was in the prime of his football career. Brown is going. Morgan Casting Company was hired to cast the film and began holding open casting calls in March 2013 in Fayetteville, Arkansas; Little Rock, Arkansas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Canton, Mississippi. Russ and I know that never happened. The University of Arkansas is also planning a memorial, and the Colts have similar designs. We noticed him. However, we areSacramento Kings fans, and we thought that Chris Webber'sknockdown of John Stockton was very cool. Itll be real cool.. 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.. He's been struggling, but we hope he can make it. Are we toforget that this is the same player who, without having had onemajor league at bat, held up the Philadelphia Phillies for ayear in contract negotiations, demanding a record signing bonusof about $10 million before reentering the draft the followingyear? I didnt mean to dismiss Moms concerns, but I just figured there was some sort of reason or explanation. Heather R Orrick, Heater Nichols, Heather Orrick, Heather Reneenichols and Heather Rnichols are some of the alias or nicknames that Heather has used. 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. Brandon Burlsworth measured 6-foot-3 1/4, 308 pounds at the 1999 NFL Combine. John E. Hoover can be reached at 581-8384. p. 1226. Brandon did not get married before he passed away when he was only twenty-two years old. Join Facebook to connect with Heather Nichols and others you may know. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. Ido want to make another point. The team broke into laughter. We were going to Fayetteville for the game and I called him early in the week to tell him where our seats would be. One of my sons, who was in my car with me, started asking what was wrong, what had happened. Brandon Burlsworth Was Dedicated & Fully-Focused Player The school was going to give Brandon a scholarship. The struggles that he had gone through to get where he was were over. I never thought Bubby was washed up. The Christian organization's mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities. Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. For the next three years, Brandon started for the Razorbacks. {{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. Brandon was selected in the third round, 63rd overall, by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft. Opposing teams made game plans just to handle Brandon. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. So I started calling coaches and seeing where he could play. And I couldnt wait to be right there with him. The book was re-released in August 2016 as a tie-in with the movie, renamed Greater: The Brandon Burlsworth Story. I asked him about the young players, still not with the varsity. 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. I never used to worry before Brandon died. 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. The Brandon Burlsworth Award is given out yearly to one male and one female athlete at Harrison High School and the University of Arkansas who best exemplify the strength of character and work ethic known as "The Burls Way". On April 28, 1999, he died in a car accident. On the foundation's website, one can choose from books and movies about Brandon to shirts hats to raise money for their cause. I go straight to the sports and see if any scholarships were offered. 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. Interestingly, Garrett and Brown didn't see it as soon as their coaches. 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. [9], Eleven days after being drafted, Burlsworth was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on April 28, 1999, on his way back to his hometown of Harrison after a workout in Fayetteville. It breaks my heart that millions of readers will get to know an individual of Brandon Burlsworth's character not during his life but after his death. One weekend when I was driving with Brandon to campus I think maybe it was his junior year a thought crossed my mind. The following year, he completed an MBA. 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 don't care how good a player he becomes; he's theepitome of what's wrong with sports today.TOM MCCLURE, Cherry Hill, N.J. J.D. ``When he got in, he'd get in sideways. ``He was so good and so perfect,'' said Nutt, who met with the team Thursday afternoon. Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. More than. It was disappointing, but Brandon wanted to go to Arkansas more than anything and, well, he didnt want any regrets. The production designer was Lucio Seixas, and the costume designer was Keri Lee Doris. Here's the deal, our lunch people had different color labels on each tray. [31], The movie was originally scheduled for a release date of January 29, 2016. Brandon's jersey #77 is retired at the University of Arkansas. [25][26] In 2010, the Burlsworth Trophy was created and named in his honor. A pro team trainer's day typically startsat 5:30 a.m. and stretches into the evening. I thought, 'Tommy, what have you sent me?' On the day of his wedding, he was buried. The accident occurred near Alpena, Arkansas, while returning to his old neighborhood. Since basketball is included in the summer games, why can'tbaseball be featured indoors during its off-season? Burlsworth was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 63rd pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, but he tragically died in a car accident just 11 days later. Everton , AR (870) 429-6321. Learn how and when to remove these template messages, promotes the subject in a subjective manner, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Inductees: Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame", "BURLSWORTH TROPHY A WORTHY GOAL FOR BEDFORD", "Twenty-one years later, Brandon Burlsworth's legacy endures for retired Indianapolis Colts Coach Mudd", "Retired jerseys a rare sight for Razorbacks", "Burlsworth killed in crash an 18 wheeler crossed the midline and the cars collided", "ESPN.com - NFL - Colts pay tribute to Burlsworth", "Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story", "NWA: 'Greater: The Brandon Burlsworth Story', "Extras wanted for filming of Brandon Burlsworth movie at War Memorial Stadium", "EXCLUSIVE SCREENING OF MOTION PICTURE "GREATER" TO TAKE PLACE AT HALL ON SATURDAY", "AUDIENCE ACCLAIM, EXHIBITOR DEMAND REQUIRE GREATER TO DELAY RELEASE UNTIL SUMMER", "On August 26th, experience a story that will change the way you see the world. 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