Brandon, Martys younger brother by 16 years, was tragically killed in an auto accident on April 28, 1999, just 11 days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. Black horn-rimmed glasses. 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. But Arkansas was the dream. And Ill get a photo of you in your uniform. And it was Brandons time. In the making of [the movie], sometimes we were able to be on set some days they didnt want us there and we didnt want to be there. It had this outdoor patio that you could stand on and look down on the field. Man, you might get to play at the next level., Ah, I dont know, I just gotta focus on this season.. His jersey #77 was retired at the University of Arkansas as a gesture of honoring his memory. His brother Marty, 17 years his senior, berates him "Cheesecake," he calls him for his indolence as well as their mother Barbara (Leslie Easterbrook) for her indulgence. Anything that wasnt right, wasnt real, wasnt what Brandon was about. His jersey has been retired, his locker encased in glass, his spirit captured in a trophy awarded to the best college football player who started his career as a walk-on. Of course, he was my brother and you do anything for family, but things were a little tougher for him. Marty Burlsworth Discusses Brandon Burlsworth's Nomination for the CFB The main [concern] was that it was going to go somewhere that really never happened. Brandon was home. When the producer says Today is probably not a good day [to be on set], thats all he has to say. Brandon Burlsworth movie 'Greater' finally hits theaters - Sports Brandon was also the first Arkansas football player to complete his Masters Degree before playing his final college football game. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. It was all over ESPN. Brandon was so single-minded, so focused. He and his wife Tresia have four children, Michael, Jordan, Brandon and Samantha. Faith is the river that runs through it all, from Brandon's Christian life to Marty's painful spiritual journey at his death to the care with which those threads are woven together. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, executive producer / producer (produced by), Managing Director: My Spotlight Independent & MY Production, hair stylist: additional photography / makeup artist: additional photography, second second assistant director (as Izzy Cowell), assistant stunt coordinator / stunt performer, casting director: Arkansas / extras casting / local casting, assistant to composer / music preparation, driver / driver: cast / production driver, production accountant (as Andrew Grey Johnson), very special thanks: the fayetteville volunteer fire department, very special thanks: the arkansas state film commission, special thanks (as Sheriff Steve Grundek), special thanks (as Pastor Ervin Hutchinson), special thanks (as Prinicpal Bill Keaster), special thanks (as Coach Norman Mitchell), very special thanks: the university of arkansas and the university athletic department. Everybody knew. He wont be going down., Well, thats good, he said, sort of laughing. I kept gaming out who was left. He didnt take one summer off the entire time he was at Arkansas. Brandon Burlsworth - Wikipedia She received her Bachelors in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. What were the vital elements that you knew had to be involved in the movie, no matter who made it, in order to fully capture Brandons life? (Now we see through a glass darkly ). For someone who had worked so hard and not only did he work so hard, but [for] the family to be backing him and supporting him and talking to him everyday and seeing him everyday and [him] moving on and going on to greater things and then for that to- boom- [and be] over. I dont even think he played one game. We may still get one. His screenplay grew out of the book Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story, by Jeff Kinley. Share. Born In: Harrison, Arkansas, United States, siblings: Grady Burlsworth, Marty Burlsworth, place of death: Alpena, Arkansas, United States. Marty wont predict how the Razorbacks will finish in the SEC this season, but he will say that he believes Greater is the kind of film that people will want to see more than once because there are layers of life lessons. Brandon Burlsworth studied at the Harrison High School where he was an all-state selection. The Vols blocked a kick in that game and the football was picked up by linebacker Al Wilson, who started racing down the right sideline a good 40 yards down the sideline. But that summer Brandon had two things going for him: His work ethic and, luckily, a pretty big growth spurt. Cindi Hagood is our Program Director of the Eyes of a Champion program. Judea school district. It was 2005, and the Burlsworth family . Our Team | Brandon Burlsworth Foundation - The BBF It demanded an audience larger than you could pack into Razorback Stadium for 60 minutes of weekend celebration in the fall - or into the Harrison High School gym on a spring day of mourning. Now, more than ever, with the success of GREATER, he enjoys meeting the fans of his brother Brandon and encouraging others to Do it the Burls Way. I dont think I got there. Marty Burlsworth is available to appear at special events as his schedule allows. Twenty-one years ago this month, the big book of SEC football added a chapter so powerful that, to this day, it can grow your heart three sizes and then, an instant later, snap it in two. This story focuses on Burlsworth's ambition, work ethic, family relationships, and strong religious convictions; teamwork and courage are strong themes. You dont lose your faith I had struggles because [Id think] why?, you know. or school. Im sure Josh Wheaton, the young apologist in Gods Not Dead, would know all the right things to say to Searcys character, but then Searcy wouldnt be permitted to make his case so eloquently in a movie like Gods Not Dead, if he were allowed to appear at all. At one point on the gridiron, Brandon argues with a teammate that their perspective on the field is limited; the coach has information from a higher perspective, from a skybox where the whole field can be seen, and they need to trust him. The foundation has also worked with Walmart/Sam's Optical Department and independent optometrists throughout Arkansas to provide eye care to thousands of school students. Burlsworth rouses 'big brother' actor - Arkansas Online I go straight to the sports and see if any scholarships were offered. If you followed the SEC back then, you may remember the Brandon Burlsworth story. choose Christ at a young age and you will always be a winner in Christ's eyes; excelling at a sport is fine as . The movie wouldn't get made until a non-Hollywood type, an Arkansas real estate developer named Brian Reindl, decided this was a story worth telling onscreen with the Burlsworth family's input - and then some. Even when the coach is impressed with Brandons dedication, he isnt exactly nurturing: I cant think of another movie in which someone compares the hero to horse manure and its meant to be encouraging. Not early or easily when it came to football, but eventually and powerfully. That first year has been put into the way it comes off on screen his feelings and the way hes taking it and I mean it was a rough time and anyone thats had a family member thats passed unexpectedly or too soon can relate to that. He was buried at the Gass Cemetery in Omaha, Arkansas, on May 2, 1999. Finally, in the third round Brandon answered the phone and gave us the thumbs-up. What was your first thought when someone approached you about making Greater? Always why. This has all been done, and sometimes done better, but the formula is sturdy, and Severio, in his first role, delivers well enough. Especially after it was all over and, you know, that was bad times. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Twenty-One Years Later, Brandon Burlsworth Legacy Endures For Retired John Corbett stars in a remarkable faith-based film, based on a true story, about a dying Tennessee church transformed by an encounter with refugees. If it meant going over to Moms house to help him with homework, I wanted to be there. To this day, people tell me where they were when they heard the news. But as Marty Burlsworth, Brandon's older brother and companion through it all, emphasized in an exclusive interview with The Daily Wire, Brandon made his football goals happen because he was relentless. Well if you had taken God out of it, it [wouldve] been fiction. View Marty Burlsworth's record in Harrison, AR including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. When the pandemic started, I guess we all needed to find hobbies to help us pass the time. For me, it was reading. I wasnt sure. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. If it meant bringing a basket of baseballs to the park so he could work on his hitting and pitching, I wanted to be there. His high school coaches couldnt believe his size when he came back for his junior season. I wanted everything for Brandon, and within a few moments, it had all been taken away. Copyright 2023 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved. Starting the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation shortly after his death, even as the grief was overwhelming, just set those plans into motion sooner. All of Razorback nation mourned along with the shell-shocked residents of his Boone County hometown; after everything he'd overcome to reach all-America status, it seemed impossible even death itself had the power to stop him. She has 3 sons, Marty, Grady and the late Brandon Burlsworth. Greater (film) - Wikipedia | In 1996, he earned himself a scholarship and also sealed his own starting place as a right guard on the offensive line for the Arkansas Razorbacks. | It took some time for his skill to catch up to his will, but along the way, he turned doubters into believers and a walk-on opportunity into a scholarship and All-American honors. Jessica Mendoza's greatest pride is her background. Sometimes Marty goes by various nicknames including Marty L Burlsworth and Marty Leo Burlsworth. And would you believe, all these NFL agents started flying into Harrison wanting to sign Brandon. When he reached his junior season in 1997, he was selected as one of the captains of the team and in the next two years, he received All-SEC honors. Unassuming, devout and a little dense, he never drinks, never swears and never takes anything personally. Almost Perfect ARKANSAS LINEMAN BRANDON BURLSWORTH - Sports Illustrated The film promotes Burlsworth as the greatest walk-on in the history of college football and there is an award the Brandon Burlsworth Trophy, which Marty oversees that is given annually to college footballs best player who began his career as a walk-on. arkansas football. They can assist you with all your real estate needs. Selfishly, I don't want Brandon to be forgotten. First, while the films hero is the celebrated Arkansas Razorbacks offensive guard Brandon Burlsworth (Christopher Severio) possibly the greatest walk-on player in college football history the protagonist is not Brandon, but his brother Marty, played by Neal McDonough of Arrow. But Brandon would stay on campus, working painting the stadium, setting up dorms, things like that and taking classes. For Burlsworth filmmaker, Netflix distribution a thrill I let out a little sigh of relief. Hes always taking a knee, and he crosses himself (a curious gesture, since from his funeral his family is clearly not Catholic). I tried bringing it up to him again. 2018 Burlsworth & Associates Real Estate in Harrison, AR 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. Burlsworth was also Arkansas' first All-American player since 1993 and was also on the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll from 1995 to 1998. We didnt want that Sports Illustrated did a feature piece on Brandon. During Martys conversation with Searcy this metaphor is further developed; a pattern emerges that Marty cant appreciate without a higher perspective. Proudly created with Wix.com. Brandon Burlsworth was born on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. The movie will be shown on 800 screens throughout the U.S. on March 21 and March 28. He had planned to help underprivileged children, and his. podcast interviews Marty and Vickie both have recorded multiple interviews on podcasts across the nation. Thats what its all about: What you do while you were here. Not as devout as his brother, Marty turns desperately to faith in a moment of crisis when he wants a miracle. The phone number for him is (870) 741-7472 (Windstream Arkansas, Inc). "We want Brandon's message out there. Because we dont want to be there- that close- to some scenes thatll be tough to watch even being filmed. Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. Youll have all your coursework done and can graduate at the end of the year anyway., Yeah, he said with a smile.

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