Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The youth center in Harrison, Arkansas . This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. All Martin had to do was hand the ball off to running back Travis Henry. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on coming lane. MIKE MASTERSON: What you didn't see - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Rivers and Steichen worked together with the Chargers, while Turner gave Steichen his first opportunity in the NFL. In The Walk-on, which airs Saturday, College GameDay celebrates the annual ceremony of a walk-on player being rewarded with a scholarship by looking back at Burlsworths impact at Arkansas 25 years ago. There was only one problem. The accident came less than two weeks after the Colts selected him and shortly after he had participated in the team's minicamp where coaches tabbed him as a potential starter at guard. Ratliff replaced fellow defensive lineman Jeff Coleman, who was suffering from cramps on the sideline when Ratliffe made history. The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier after earning first-team All-America honors as a fifth-year senior, was involved in a head-on crash with a. It was all inner-him -- all inner-drive. The Burls Way: How a Denham Springs man got the lead in 'Greater 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 . He died in a car crash on April 28, 1999, shortly after he was drafted by the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. 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. It was the offenses turn after Ratliff proved prophetic. We have a saying in our family, said Marty Burlsworth. However, every time he thinks of the fumble, its hard not to think of Burlsworth. 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. When I heard Brandon passed away, it hit home, Ratliff said. [3] See production, box office & company info, Well-done and inspiring faith-based movie, Mike & Mike: Episode dated 23 August 2016. He was on his heels and I was like, Im not going to stop pushing.'. Brian Reindl, writer and producer of Greater, said he loved the opportunity to tell such an incredible story in his first-ever production. | GREATER Movie LOS ANGELES (Christian Examiner) - GREATER, a new film about the inspiring story of Christian football player Brandon Burlsworth, who shot from walk-on at the University of Arkansas to a NFL draftee, will hit theaters this summer. There were times when he was almost late to games because he would never turn a kid down for an autograph or anything.. Considering the medical issues, an NFL career wasnt likely in the works. The team broke into laughter. 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. Cover photo of Clint Stoerners fumble courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics. "I just wished I'd had the opportunity to have been part of his development. I love that, whether its as (a former) lineman or just a person that likes sports. That wouldnt be the case. 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. I think about it all the time. "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.". "We attended the First Assembly in Harrison and Brandon was always there, starting at about 10 years old. 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.. Freshmen bring people together with Bison El Puente celebrates National Hispanic Heritage University executes new check-in procedures for Harding students from Florida react to Harding students to participate in business ASI kicks off distinguished lecture series University centers Lectureship around Christ and Q&A with Lisa Williams, ambassador for University celebrates Williams inauguration, Songwriting contest ends in recording workshop. Brandon Burlsworth excelled in high school football, making All-Conference and All-State. As a part of the program, the Colts will hire a Dungy Fellow for the offense and the defense. "I couldn't stop talking to my wife about how impressive he was and what a bright future he had.". The storys been told a lot but it probably hasnt reached as many people as you think, he said. You sow a habit, you reap a character. You sow a character, you reap a destiny. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). Director David Hunt (from left) poses Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, with producer Brian Reindl, and Marty Burlsworth, brother of Brandon Burlsworth, during a red carpet event ahead of the premiere. You want to hear from the pertinent voices, the people that were closely involved and related to Brandon played with him, coached him and raised him. The Comfort Inn's scrolling marquee was simple, but also eerie: ``Remember Brandon Burlsworth,'' followed by the time and temperature. Coleman recalled seeing Ratliff, who was over 300 pounds, dunk a basketball with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. 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. Q: Brandons life seemed to have incredible highs and lows. . "No problem, I'm used to it," quipped Burlsworth, who popped the lens of his eyeglasses out and smiled away. You like to see those kinds of things happen in sports. 412 when he became involved in the crash with two tractor trailers officials said. I promise you that ball seemed like it was there for 5 or 6 seconds.. Harding School of Theology student Ben Hansen said the movie far exceeded his low expectations due to the quality of some Christian movies. Weve got to throw it. I said No, were going to run it every down and we ran the football right down their throat.. I tell people all the time that if I was still in the game when that happened, we probably would have lost because I just didnt have it in the tank right then, Coleman said. Honors College announces new faculty fellow. Barbara and Marty came to training camp in advance of the Buffalo opener. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. There is a much deeper message here. Your IP: That defined the Tennessee offense that year, Cutcliffe said. They were winning the whole game, really. Brandon Burlsworth went from freshman walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas before being the Colts' third-round pick in 1999. The foundation also runs football camps and presents several awards and scholarships. One of Fulmers favorite phrases was Pound the Rock, as in run the football until the other team breaks. While his tragic death may have ended his football career, it didnt stop the linemans ability to change the world. Click to reveal He was on his way back to Harrison, his hometown, following a workout in Fayetteville. The movie tells how Burlsworth, against all odds, went to Arkansas without an athletic scholarship and became an All-American football player and National Football League third-round draft choice. by Clay Henry | August 27, 2016 at 1:00 a.m. Arkansas' Brandon Burlsworth tells a story to teammates before the beginning of practice at Thunder Field on Dec. 30, 1998 . The Colts honored the Burlsworth family on opening day in 1999 with a framed jersey number 66. Ratliffs explosive push into the backfield caused Burlsworth to step on Stoerners foot. He was in the prime of his football career. Carrolton ap former arkansas offensive guard brandon burlsworth died in a car crash as he headed home to harrison from fayetteville officials said. The movie really addressed the question of why bad things happen to good people, Hansen said. There is some footage of the real Brandon after the last credits. I knew nothing of Brandons story, said Budman. 2 Alabama, SEC Women's Basketball Tournament action suspended due to weather delay, 2 SEC players named to late-season watch list for Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Trophy, Overrated? As UTs defense tried to hold on, quarterback Tee Martin and UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe were devising a drive in which theyd have very little time left if they got the ball back at all. Hate to see Desir be the victim lol. https://t.co/FFBoin68fO, Subscribe to our newsletter to get daily updates, Tom Rinaldi interviews Barbara Burlsworth, mother of the late Brandon Burlsworth. After the Arkansas game, we knew that was our moment, former UT cornerback Dwayne Goodrich said. During their time of struggle, they came up with the idea for the foundation. 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. When relatively healthy, Ratliff showed he had elite talent. Burlsworth 22 a third round draft pick of the indianapolis colts on april 17 was driving on us. However, once Marty stopped listening to him it returned to less detail. He was already something special, but it would have been something else had he not gone through the injuries he did.. Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Brandon Burlsworth - Football Players, Family and Childhood Its hard not to imagine what might have been had Burlsworth not passed away when he was 22. He continued to grow and was a good 6-foot-2, 260 pounds in his senior season.