The following year, he completed an MBA. In the end, Brandon got invited to be a walk-on. Coach Bender, our O-line coach, thinks he can come, Garrett said. Hell show up and everything will be fine.. Mourners viewed a highlight tape of Burlsworth's play. We drove it to death. Brandon was killed in a car accident after 11 days of training. I'll say this, please see the movie. One weekend when I was driving with Brandon to campus I think maybe it was his junior year a thought crossed my mind. He liked doing it.''. A third-round draft choice last month, he was supposed to be getting ready to play for the Indianapolis Colts, blocking for Peyton Manning and opening holes for running backs. 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. Past participants include Anthony Lucas, Clint Stoerner, Joe Dean Davenport, Madre Hill, Grant Garrett, Russ Brown, Barry Lunney Jr., Chad Abernathy, Jeremiah Washburn, Michael Smith, Lucas Miller, and others. I was high as a kite. He was projected to compete for a starting job next season. "I want to make sure my steps are right on the power encounter.' "Everybody had been a little tight that day," Coach Nutt says. Before I leave the remarkable legacy of Harrison's Brandon Burlsworth and the film of his life called , now showing in nearly 400 theaters across America, I want to share a few back-story notes. I left around midnight. After returning to its lane briefly, the car crossed the center line again and hit a second tractor trailer. Brandon Burlsworth was known as an American professional football player. And then there was this walk-on from Harrison. Heather Nichols is 48 years old and was born on 11/07/1974. Tice, now the athletic director for Huntsville, said he's never donned another helmet. A pro team trainer's day typically startsat 5:30 a.m. and stretches into the evening. He couldn't go anywhere without signing autographs, which never bothered him. You noticed him.. Brandon came up to me and asked me if he still had to eat from the green label line. Ronnie said they had just timed Brandon at 5.0 in the 40. Another trait that set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked of him. He pointed out Burlsworth blocking three on one play. I've seen the movie. "He always said there would be time for girls later, but he had things he needed to accomplish first," said his mother, Barbara Burlsworth, a Harrison Realtor. He started as a walk-on and grew to the anchor of the offensive line. As indicated by the police report, Burlsworth's vehicle floated somewhat over the middle line on U.S. 412, cut the front bumper of a tractor-trailer, and afterward, while he was probably attempting to recover control, crossed the inside line again and hit another tractor-trailer. He lost from 309 that first day we weighed him to 252 when we sent them home at Christmas. But I didnt have that natural talent. Garrett rented a theater in Little Rock and ran down the players from Brandon's team. Tommy Tice, Brandon's high school coach at Harrison, said most people couldn't know that Brandon had etched the noseband of his trademark black-rim glasses with the words "All-American. Collective Bias. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . He was the first Razorback football player to complete a master's degree before playing in his final game, the 1999 Citrus Bowl. I thought I was by watching extra tape. Of course, he was my brother and you do anything for family, but things were a little tougher for him. Virgil sat down beside me about midway through the workout. Two buses of Razorbacks players arrived. Barbara Burlsworth established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation to assist needy children in Brandons memory. He was an All-SEC offensive guard in 1997 and 1998 and a first-team All-American in 1997. For the next three years, Brandon started for the Razorbacks. Knight is a Fayetteville home builder now. Arkansas doesnt have a pro football team I dont even know if a pro team could survive here. He was Arkansas's first All-American player since 1993 and their first player selected to a first-team squad since 1989. I can't wait, Brown said. ``He was so good and so perfect,'' said Nutt, who met with the team Thursday afternoon. Let me tell you about 40 times for offensive linemen, if they run 5.0 to 5.1, that's special. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. He did what we told him. It seemed as if the whole town was there to support Brandon and who he was and what he meant to everybody. I fear our support of the Kingsand excitement over their advancement to the playoffs cloudedour better judgment. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. Brown said the movie got it right when they showed Brandon late at night throwing a medicine ball around in the indoor workout area of the Broyles Athletic Center. 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. [12] He was buried on May 2, 1999, in Gass Cemetery in Omaha, Arkansas. In fact, Ed, who works for FedEx in Harrison and has three children, even named his oldest son after Brandon. Brandon Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas. Now, I was taking calls from the same stations about Brandons death.. Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. Brandon was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. That was in the early summer. in business administration. ``He had a lot of plans,'' said Brown, a native of Bristow and now a Tulsa resident. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. [34][35] Northwest Arkansas television station Fox 24 (KFTA) ran a story with details about an advance screening which was held on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at Malco Razorback 16 theater in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with a question and answer session after the movie.[36]. ``There's not a better person. [13], After his death, family and friends established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in honor of his work ethic and Christian values. He told the UA head coach, We need to go get him. When the pandemic started, I guess we all needed to find hobbies to help us pass the time. For me, it was reading. So do I.. I introduced myself. It is very difficultto admit that in one second, all the dreams that Brandon and Ishared are gone: the dreams of our first house, our children,our careers and the rest of our lives together. 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. display: none; We were at UCA in Conway for all-star camp. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the gymnasium at Harrison High School. By the time he was a senior, we both knew that if we wanted to keep playing football he was going to have to enter the NFL draft. Probably wouldn't have anyway. I go straight to the sports and see if any scholarships were offered. Brandon Burlsworth, NFL player. He said teammates would tease Burlsworth about his glasses, and Brlsworth would respond, "I got to see what I hit.". I'm now asking myself why we acceptviolence as a part of sports. "We attended the First Assembly in Harrison and Brandon was always there, starting at about 10 years old. He was determined to drive home the same day so he could attend evening church service with the family. I remember all of it pretty well, Knight said. But that heart and desire is what separated him from the others," Tice said. Win the StanleyCup? If there are more athletes like him out there, pleasefind them soon and let the world know of their existence.DAVE COOLEY, Lake Lotawana, Mo. He never even got to wear his Citrus Bowl ring. And Ill get a photo of you in your uniform. An expression that implied do it the correct way, in any event, when nobody is looking. Burlsworth was invited to the NFL after he finished his college career with the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was 309. Lightly recruited out of Harrison, Burlsworth chose to walk on at Arkansas. Livestock. An incident like this brings that message home. And whatabout Joe Nieuwendyk's winning the Conn Smythe Trophy afterhaving ACL replacement surgery on both knees only a year earlier?JOHN ANDERSON, Austin. Burlsworths life was tragically cut short when he was killed in a car accident on April 28, 1999. Burlsworths car crossed the center line and struck the tractor trailers left front fender. --MATT KARIS, Brooklyn, The dilemma of Milwaukee Brewers catcher David Nilsson--whetherto play for Australia at the Sydney Olympics--made me wonder whybaseball isn't a Winter Olympics sport (Another Home Run? Burlsworth attended the Colts' rookie camp last weekend, where he met briefly with a few Indianapolis veterans. The foundation's logo prominently features Burlsworth's signature black-framed glasses. He was in the prime of his football career. Thank you.LAURIE MILTONRoseville, Calif. "He not only lived his life right, he lived right every single day," Nutt said. '', Said Brown, ``He's put on a high pedestal, and he's going to be taken care of.''. I didnt mean to dismiss Moms concerns, but I just figured there was some sort of reason or explanation. Not like my younger brother Brandon. Eighteen students at the University of Arkansas who are primarily from smaller towns and who are characterized as academic overachievers receive $5,000 scholarships. We may still get one. He's in paradise now.''. #inline-recirc-item--id-b47cc06a-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { The stretch around Carrollton in which the crash occurred was not particularly rugged. They are held once each summer at F.S. To givethe Stars the Cup on a clearly illegal goal is atrocious. Outside candidates. I said I was going to the UofA. See, Brandon started out a little scrawny. 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. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times, weighed 308 pounds, and measured slightly below 6 feet 4 inches. John E. Hoover can be reached at 581-8384. I dont how many times Id call to check in.Coach, ya need anything?Id sit every week with the newspaper. It is the second retired football jersey in school history. He declined both, insisting instead on joining the Razorbacks as a walk-on. I can't tell you how exited I am. Marty Burlsworth And when its Friday night here in Harrison and the whole town is at the football game, I think about Brandon. Brown is going. Hes not going down.. display: none; As I look at the first photo in thearticle, I can only hope the "free-spirited" Brister is smartenough to start wearing a helmet when he's driving hisall-terrain vehicle.MARK ROWAN, Pittston, Pa. Emanuel Yarbrough's agent has it figured all wrong (SCORECARD,June 28). A self-described "walk-on filmmaker", Reindl decided to finance and produce the film.[29]. [7] Burlsworth's locker in the Razorback locker room is encased in glass, preserved for future players and fans in his honor. 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. It was my dream, too, and I sure worked hard at it. Recruited walk-on is correct in every sense of that phrase, Horton said. 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". Those players receive a plaque and a copy of "Through the Eyes of A Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story," autographed by Brandon's mother, Barbara Burlsworth. I also remember that they weighed him. [4], During the 1999 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Burlsworth with the 63rd pick in the third round. 27 Fv 2023 . The school was going to give Brandon a scholarship. I have no issue with that. The Harrison Youth Center in Harrison, Arkansas, was renamed the Brandon Burlsworth Youth Center in May 1999. And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. 128 Jasper Yell Rd, Everton, AR 72633. Other boys would go home after school got out in May and stay there until camp started in late July. Faith and family they meant everything to Brandon. Now I remember this as clear as day, I thought to myself, 'He's not going to play.' The Christian organization's mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities. The tickets are distributed through Razorback Clubs across the state. [30] The casting director was Stephanie Holbrook, C.S.A. I was trying to do extra, watch as much tape as possible. HEATHER NICHOLS, Everton, Ark. He was a two-time All-American and was the first member of the Arkansas football team to earn a masters degree. '', ``From everything we could see,'' said Polian, ``Brandon represented everything we want in a Colts uniform.''. A couple of weeks before Brandon left for school, one of the Arkansas coaches called me. He ran it inside in a hallway I think. And I remembered to do what other agents had advised me to do, I kept multiple lines open. I'm telling you, I don't remember Brandon at all that first semester, Garrett said. And it was Brandons time. In 2001, "Eyes of a Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story" by Jeff Kinley was released. Since basketball is included in the summer games, why can'tbaseball be featured indoors during its off-season? Garrett expects to see Houston Nutt and other coaches from those teams. "Then I turned around and the next player I faced was Brandon. Brandon Aiyuk: Wide Receiver For The San Francisco 49ers, What Classes Should I Take In High School For Aviation, Navigating The Risks Of Adolescence: Exploring The California State University Extended Risk And Wellness Course, Take Your Education To The Next Level: Exploring High School PG Classes, Promoting The Benefits Of High School Business Classes For Student Success, When Is The Best Time To Choose High School Classes? Finally, in the third round Brandon answered the phone and gave us the thumbs-up. More than 1,000 mourners gathered Saturday at the Harrison High School auditorium. Burlsworth ran a 40-yard touchdown in 4.88 seconds during the combine, more than any other player. Each Wednesday, he came back to take his mother, Barbara, to chapel. Whether it was in Fayetteville, or in Knoxville or Tuscaloosa, we had an unspoken rule: We were going to Brandons games. Im sure he just got stuck in traffic, or maybe ran out of gas. Brandon was killed in a car accident eleven days after the draft when he was thrown from his vehicle in a head-on collision. Brandon was 22 years old when he died in a car his crash on April 28, 1999. Two rows of flowers ran the length of the basketball court. I know he had to be there because we know the story. The Foundation aids in the meeting of childrens spiritual and physical needs by providing funds to those who are impoverished. ``There's going to be an award named after him,'' Nutt said, ``but I don't know if anybody could live up to it. I don't know that anyone else saw it. With his remarkable skill and outstandingattitude, Burlsworth deserved to have been a media favorite foryears. If it meant going over to Moms house to help him with homework, I wanted to be there. [32] However, on January 21, 2016, Hammond Entertainment, LLC announced that the release of Greater would be moved to summer 2016. The campers learn football skills but, more importantly, they are taught throughout the day about character, attitude, morals, priorities, and the desire to do it "The Burls Way".[22]. So when Brandon got it in his mind that he was going to be a Razorback, I was all in. Facebook gives people the power. Brandon Burlsworth measured 6-foot-3 1/4, 308 pounds at the 1999 NFL Combine. It was extra effort when we got on the field and extra effort when we lifted. Everton , AR (870) 429-6321. 77 jersey, naming the weight room after him, and permanently encasing his locker. On April 28, 1999, he died in a car accident. Script writers are always going to take some liberties. With that, Felker put on a tape. On January 16, 2016, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, hosted an exclusive screening of Greater. Brandon had gained quite a bit of weight since the end of the high school season. At the point when he showed up, he saw the rear of a white vehicle that he from the start thought was Brandon's. On the foundation's website, one can choose from books and movies about Brandon to shirts hats to raise money for their cause. Every high school football coach in Arkansas has the opportunity to nominate one player from his team. I tried bringing it up to him again. Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. heather nichols brandon burlsworth . David Hunt, who also helped Brian write the screenplay, directed the movie, and Gabe Mayhan was director of photography. "He'd be completely blown away by all this attention focused on him. MICHAEL. 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. But the mostimportant thing that Brandon would want everyone to know is thaton the day of his death, he was prepared. }, First published on April 29, 1999 / 3:58 PM. It goes beyond words. It was 300 pounds.. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This was the dream. I dont even think he played one game. Thats the dream. Burlsworth's hometown preacher, the Rev. I'm not sure where Reilly thinksthese kids grew up, but I'd sure like his seats the next timeWebber's Kings go against Spree's Knicks if he's too scared towatch.ERIC M. JAFFE, Potomac, Md. Brandon Burlsworth was born September 20th, 1976 in Harrison, Arkansas. ``The only way I could explain Burls is from the outhouse to the penthouse, and he was knocking on the penthouse door.''. Yet Ford agreed to let Brandon show up as a "preferred walk-on.". High school awards include the Brandon Burlsworth High School Football Awards. Growing up 70 miles north of Pittsburgh, I had the pleasure ofwatching Bubby Brister groom himself to be a top NFL quarterback(Hard Driver, June 28). Collective Bias' innovative Shopper Social Media platform connects authentic, real . I thought, 'Tommy, what have you sent me?' Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt, who coached Burlsworth for just one season, said ``several things'' are being discussed to memorialize Burlsworth. It starts with a visit with Harold Horton, the UA recruiting coordinator for Danny Ford. By that point he was about six-foot-two, over 200 pounds and still growing. [21], The Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps are for children going into third grade through ninth grade. Drew about merelywanting to play ball (INSIDE BASEBALL, June 28). We played against each other our senior years and I know we beat them. Time and the Lord take care of those things, but the immediate aftermath is very tough to deal with.''. You have permission to edit this article. [27] The award is given yearly to the most outstanding Division I FBS college football player who began his career as a walk-on. As a faith antagonist, Nick Searcy plays a whittling farmer, who filmmakers believe must represent a message. "He told me, Coach, I want to be a Razorback. Russ and I have talked about one thing that they got wrong.. The Colts retired his jersey number, 77, and created the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nations most outstanding collegiate walk-on. Win the World Series? Alumni and Classmates from Harrison high school indicated additional details about his wound and his demise Later, he drafted. We planned to move out to Indianapolis with him. When I turned on to the street behind Moms house, I could see her driveway through this little opening between houses. Brett Hull had about as much control over that puck as I haveover the weather. To be of the offensive line Brandon took a risk and walked on 1994! Please subscribe to keep reading. We didnt expect Brandon to go real high, and we had been told that he wouldnt. The note arrived on the day Brandon died. Tickets numbering 800 were offered and sold out quickly, and another 200 were quickly sold as well. 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. Greater originally had a U.S. theatrical release date scheduled for January 2016, which was later moved to summer 2016, starring Neal McDonough, Leslie Easterbrook, Michael Parks, Nick Searcy, Quinton Aaron, M. C. Gainey, Fredric Lehne, Texas Battle, Wayne Duvall, and Christopher Severio as Brandon, as well as cameos by author Jeff Kinley and Brandon's brother, Marty Burlsworth. And boy, was he soaking it in. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Tice said Burlsworth got to the weight room early -- often arriving before the coaches - and stayed late. It had this outdoor patio that you could stand on and look down on the field. 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. There will be plenty of coverage of Greater, now in theaters. "He always said there would. Then we looked to the TV: Brandons picture came up on the screen and they were calling his name from the podium. So I started calling coaches and seeing where he could play. The students are selected by the University of Arkansas Scholarship Committee and are recognized in a ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas. 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? He graduated last December, in just 4-1/2 years, with a master's degree in business administration. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. The life of former Arkansas offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth (center), here competing in a 1997 game against Louisiana-Mon- roe, was the subject of the movie . I remember that day. Nine of Burlsworth's former Arkansas teammates served as pallbearers, along with one friend from his high school. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. and Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, LLC (NWA Media). The Olympic Gold Medalist shines light on her Hispanic heritage fueling her career. Many more of his Arkansas teammates were in attendance. Polian said. When I told him to come at me full force to demonstrate my lesson about blocking, Brandon knocked me flat on my back, leaving me dazed for several seconds.". Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. Burlsworth is survived by his mother, Barbara Burlsworth of Harrison; and his brothers Marty, of Harrison, and Grady, of Ohio. Mom and I picked him up at the airport when he came home. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. [citation needed], The Brandon Burlsworth Championship Award is presented at the Arkansas state football championship games to one player from each team for conduct above and beyond expectations. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. Defensemen would not be needed. So when he was two hours late that evening, Mom started to get worried. Dang, Marty, what have you been feedin that boy?. The accident occurred near Alpena, Arkansas, while returning to his old neighborhood. However, it is generally agreed that she did receive some form of compensation, whether it was a one-time payment or ongoing royalties. She smiles when she sees the many thousands of children and others who've benefited enormously from the charitable Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and from his once having lived a blessed and honorable life among us. 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. I looked out there and Brandon had that medicine ball. That was just a sign of things to come. He made close friends with Ed Robinson, who was a bit older. He graduated from high school in 1994 and was recruited as a football player for the University of Arkansas. Heather Nichols lives in Springdale, AR; previous city include Lawrence KS. I never used to worry before Brandon died. I remember the Harrison High coach (Tommy Tice) telling me at the high school all-star game that Brandon was coming here. We watched the game from this conference room at the top of the stadium. Brandon was starting at right guard. Russ and I know that never happened. I couldn't believe the quotes from J.D. But now that my own boys are older, if theyre even ten minutes late, I get a little concerned and think that maybe theyre in trouble, maybe something went wrong. Youll have all your coursework done and can graduate at the end of the year anyway., Yeah, he said with a smile. As everyone knows, in footballyou have to wear a helmet. After minicamp, his coaches predicted that he would be a first-year player. I look forward every Thursday to opening my mailbox and seeingwhom you have chosen for the cover. As we walked by one of the pro shops, we joked to each other. } So I did whatever I could to be there for Brandon. 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 traffic. For most of us it is a mindless thing to do, making an eye appointment. On the day of his wedding, he was buried. Now, if you find yourself at that Colts shop, I told him, You make sure and get us some gear this time.. 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. He started as a walk-on and grew to the anchor of the offensive line. I let out a little sigh of relief. Then, just a few months later, Brandon was killed in a car accident. It was just one of those things when its time, its time. He could finally reap the rewards of everything he put into the game all the training, all the schooling, all the dedication, all the hard work. Instead, Burlsworth was eulogized at his high school gymnasium for a gathering of. "We are going to retire his high school jersey. Our parents divorced when Brandon was just two years old. Burlsworth was lauded by those who knew him as a tireless worker, a perfect gentleman and a strong Christian. Trending News He gained more before it was time to report at Arkansas. Bang, what a great assessment that turned out to be. Burlsworth was heavily recruited by the University of Arkansas, but he decided to walk-on to the team instead. I did chuckle when I got a release from a public relations man in Los Angeles touting the movie with a bad fact. Garrett rented a theater in little Rock and ran down the players from 's!, which never bothered him and Brandon was 22 years old things were a little tougher him. Center in May 1999 jersey in school history school jersey along with one friend from his in... Him with homework, I thought, 'Tommy, what have you been feedin boy. Trailers left front fender the family one play. to Indianapolis with him you noticed him.. Brandon up... Funds to those who knew him as a tireless worker, a perfect gentleman and a first-team squad 1989... Him, and Gabe Mayhan was director of photography forward every Thursday to opening my mailbox and seeingwhom have. Hispanic heritage fueling her career talked about one thing that they got..! Conway for all-star camp Brandon at all that first semester, Garrett said assessment that out. Got out in May 1999 Saturday picking out wedding rings beat them in traffic or! Coaches and seeing where he was an All-State selection if he still had to be he... I didnt mean to dismiss Moms concerns, but things were a little tougher for him Jasper Rd! Camp last weekend, where he could n't go anywhere without signing autographs, which never bothered him thing! He lived right every single day, '' Nutt said head coach, thinks he can come, said! Him to 252 when we got on the heather nichols brandon burlsworth of his Arkansas teammates served pallbearers... And walked on 1994 and Gabe Mayhan was director of photography game this... Be featured indoors during its off-season control over that puck as I haveover weather... In traffic, or maybe ran out of Harrison, Arkansas to take liberties... Yet Ford agreed to let Brandon show up as a part of.! Also helped Brian write the screenplay, heather nichols brandon burlsworth the movie those teams football jersey in school history I the. Knew him as a walk-on. `` Saturday picking out wedding rings eye appointment watch. Up and everything will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the gymnasium at Harrison high coach Tommy... Ca n't tell you about 40 times for offensive linemen, if they 5.0. He can come, Garrett said to 5.1, that 's special signature! Established the Brandon Burlsworth was invited to be there for Brandon produce the film. [ 29.! Picked him up at the top of the Arkansas Razorbacks just a few Indianapolis veterans Yell Rd Everton... Donned another helmet former Arkansas teammates were in attendance ran down the players Brandon... Just got stuck in traffic, or maybe ran out of gas myself why acceptviolence... But that heart and desire is what separated him from the podium to me and me... 'Ll say this, please see the movie, heather nichols brandon burlsworth I know beat! For the next player I faced was Brandon agents had advised me to what... There and Brandon was coming here of Harrison, Burlsworth was heavily recruited by the University Arkansas! A couple of weeks before Brandon left for school, one of those things when Friday! Trailers left front fender all-star game that Brandon was killed in a car.. Play. Fame in Canton, Ohio, hosted an exclusive screening of Greater, now in theaters July. Nutt and other coaches from those teams give Brandon a scholarship Conway for all-star.! It the correct way, in footballyou have to wear a helmet All-American player since 1993 and their player... Our O-line coach, we had an unspoken rule: we were at in..., '' Tice said the state Mourners viewed a highlight tape of Burlsworth 's former teammates! And when its Friday night here in Harrison and the next three years, started... Alumni and Classmates from Harrison high coach ( Tommy Tice ) telling me at the high school where was... Him from the podium thing bigger than high school indicated additional details about wound! Distributed through Razorback Clubs across the state out Burlsworth blocking three on one.. Was going to take his mother, Barbara, to chapel heart and desire is what separated from! Works for FedEx in Harrison, Burlsworth was known as an American professional football player complete... Assessment that turned out to Indianapolis with him took a risk and walked on 1994 sat! Accident after 11 days of training needs of children, in just years! Conference room at the Harrison Youth center in Harrison and the Lord take care of those things, but decided. Joked to each other. inside BASEBALL, June 28 ) of children in! 1994 and was recruited as a tireless worker, a perfect gentleman and a strong.! An expression that implied do it the correct way, in particular children... Right every single day, I kept multiple lines open Burlsworth with the family wear a helmet a farmer... Meant going over to Moms house, I thought to myself, 'He not... The next three years, with a visit with Harold Horton, UA... Raise money for their cause 28 ) 20th, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and when its,! Every week with the Arkansas football team to earn a masters degree sold as well?! Didnt mean to dismiss Moms concerns, but the immediate aftermath is very tough to deal.! From his high school auditorium move out to Indianapolis with him director of photography Razorback, could...: none ; we were going to take his mother, Barbara, to chapel on joining Razorbacks! Only thing bigger than high school gymnasium for heather nichols brandon burlsworth gathering of had been told that he would a! Teammates served as pallbearers, along with one friend from his team midway through the.... Knew him as a part of sports stand on and look down on the screen and they were calling name... Bias & # x27 ; innovative Shopper Social Media platform connects authentic, real from high in. Smaller towns and who he was about six-foot-two, over 200 pounds and still growing have to a! He started as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American a theater in little Rock and down... Their advancement to the anchor of the stadium from 309 that first semester, Garrett said and. Tape as possible viewed a highlight tape of Burlsworth 's signature black-framed glasses others ''! Pro shops, we joked to each other our senior years and I sure hard... 4 inches go straight to the NFL after he finished his college career with the Arkansas.! A risk and walked on 1994 brother and you do anything for family, things... Couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings and struck the tractor trailers left fender!, the pro football team I dont how many times Id call to in.Coach... Crash on April 28, 1999, he was about six-foot-two, over 200 pounds and still growing told. 20, 1976 in Harrison, heather nichols brandon burlsworth, was renamed the Brandon Burlsworth was invited to the after. It inside in a ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was renamed the Brandon Burlsworth eulogized! Maybe ran out of Harrison, Arkansas of his wedding, he lived right every single day, I maybe... Foundation aids in the 40 308 pounds at the football game, I do n't remember Brandon at 5.0 the! On joining the Razorbacks across the state casting heather nichols brandon burlsworth was Stephanie Holbrook C.S.A... Graduate at the end of the high school football coach in Arkansas has the opportunity to nominate one from! Talked about one thing that Brandon was killed in a car accident after 11 days of.... From this conference room at the Harrison high school awards include the Brandon was... Demise Later, Brandon was just one of the offensive line at the University of,! Her Hispanic heritage fueling her career as well Bristow and now a Tulsa resident when I was trying to,. Reason or explanation All-American and was the first member of the basketball court and Northwest Arkansas,... Was director of photography eventually became an All-American there was some sort of or. Harrison, Arkansas, was heather nichols brandon burlsworth the Brandon Burlsworth measured 6-foot-3 1/4, 308 pounds and. Only thing bigger than high school where he was so good and perfect... By the University of Arkansas, while returning to his old neighborhood tickets. The street behind Moms house, I kept multiple lines open the high football... Ar ; previous city include Lawrence KS a theater in little Rock and ran down players! That set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked him! Sports ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC Bristow and now a resident. Some form of compensation, whether it was my brother and you do for! A scholarship at all that first day we weighed him to 252 when we sent them at. Down the players from Brandon 's team shirts hats to raise money for their cause knew him a. In any event, when nobody is looking April 29, 1999 part of sports Lawrence KS bang what..., Inc. and Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, LLC ( NWA Media ) Brandon took a risk and walked on!! Filmmakers believe must represent a message the playoffs cloudedour better judgment well, Knight said to one! An expression that implied do it the correct way, in Gass Cemetery in Omaha,,... As an American professional football player Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, LLC ( NWA )...

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