Now, you can't control who your mom and daddy is, but you can control how hard you work. The Colts honored the Burlsworth family on opening day in 1999 with a framed jersey number 66. You like to see those kinds of things happen in sports. It made them believe they could win a title and instilled fear of the possibility of coming up short. If it does not offend you, then you should enjoy it. He went after it without caution.". 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 Burlsworth was killed in a car accident on April 28th, 1999 while driving back to his hometown when he was near Alpena, Arkansas he got involved in the accident and died on the spot. Burlsworth was a walk-on offensive lineman at the University of Arkansas who, throughout his career at Arkansas, went from being a red-shirt out-of-shape freshman to a player that the Indianapolis Colts would draft. Im not sure what coach Nutt was thinking about, Ratliff said. As a player, "Brandon promised to be one of those players we point to and say, 'This is how it's done,' " said a top Colts official. He was on his way back to Harrison, his hometown, following a workout in Fayetteville. It was the offenses turn after Ratliff proved prophetic. In his junior year, he split time with a senior on the offensive line for half the season and then became the full-time starter. 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. Midnight Madness kicks off basketball season, Social clubs prepare for Homecoming Parade, James Huff receives another research grant. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting. Steichen's creativity and flexibility shined when the Eagles came to Indianapolis in Week 11 of the 2022 season. It's an image of how the "farmer" was capturing Marty's soul and he was becoming the "farmers". Once his chance, though, Burlsworth seized his opportunity. After his death, Burlsworth's #77 became only the second retired number in Razorback football history. Burlsworth's death on April 28, only 11 days after the Indianapolis Colts took him in the third round of the NFL draft, left people in Arkansas in shock and asking questions that will remain. "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.". During his junior and senior years, his work ethic and focus really kicked in. MB: Brandon was revered pretty quickly for the obstacles that he overcame. Although Brandon became a stickler for staying focused and doing things the right way, he also was a typically sloppy teenager until the 10th grade when Barbara told him if he was serious about going to college, "he'd better get his act together." 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. Unfortunately, Brandon was tragically killed in a head-on automobile collision just 11 days after the draft. Especially knowing the kid was getting ready to go on to the next chapter of his life and getting to the point where he was trying to help his family. You cant control it, Ratliff said. To be of the offensive line Brandon took a risk and walked on 1994! That says it all. BURLSWORTH, 22, a third-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts on April 17, was driving on U.S. 412 when he became involved in . All-American ( 1998) 2 First-team All-SEC ( 1997, 1998) Arkansas Razorbacks No. #HistoricHog pic.twitter.com/xBCanCzixz. We had never had a problem with anybody in the SEC but Florida. When Zac Budman was assigned to produce a feature for College GameDay Built by The Home Depot on the late Brandon Burlsworth, he did his research and learned the amazing and tragic story of the former Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman. However, he was killedin an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. At the end of summer, he weighed 311 pounds, yet the draft hopeful could dunk a basketball with both hands from a standing start. That defined the Tennessee offense that year, Cutcliffe said. He had worked so hard and everything was in line to make his dreams come true. 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. "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!" He said that the message spoke of the joy of living everyday life and asked big questions, making it a powerful story. Certainly, football was immensely important to Brandon, but it was his character and the relationship he had with God that defined who Brandon Burlsworth really was. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident in 1999 after being drafted . Were going to get the ball back., "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. . As recorded on the Colts official website, Burlsworth was driving home to Harrison, Arkansas in April 1999; he wanted to head home, have dinner with his mother, Barbara, and attend a Wednesday night church service. The lineman, however, would never arrive. 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.". A UT win would mean the Vols national title hopes would stay alive. With the tragic way he died, how did you make sense of it all? He said his familys personal contribution to Brandons legacy was the Burlworth Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged kids enjoy Arkansas Razorback and Indianapolis Colts games. The press conference will be streamed live. That was Brandons example He could have thought of himself as a big star, but he was guided by his faith and love for his family., The Link Network is a product of the Department of Communication at Harding University. Casting Directors are now casting for the upcoming SAG feature film "Greater" filming in Arkansas. On the line, Tarik Glenn and Adam Meadows were at tackles. Steve McKinney was one guard. Jeff Saturday was a street free agent, and Burlsworth could have helped the guard position for years. While Ratliffs NFL future was never a realistic option because of his myriad injuries, Burlsworth had an incredibly bright future ahead of him. He had fresh legs and blew up the play., After the Arkansas game, we knew that was our moment.. "He's in heaven now. Brandon was tragically killed in a car accident, crushing all who . Q: What was your involvement with the movie process from the beginning until now? We're going to be fine.' Marty Burlsworth remembers the day Brian Reindl came to Harrison to pitch his idea of making a movie about the life of Burlsworth's late brother, Brandon. More than. That Burlsworth was in the accident was completely like the unselfish person who established a cult following while a Razorback. 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. For people unfamiliar with Brandons story, walk us through his development from your perspective. "I just wished I'd had the opportunity to have been part of his development. History happened, he said. That has to be the bittersweet part for Ratliff. It was a legendary drive for sure. At halftime of the team's season-opener against Buffalo, Colts owners Jim and Meg Irsay presented Burlsworth's family and Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles with checks for $5,000 each. Brandon burlsworth was the former all american offensive lineman for the arkansas razorbacks. Two months after the accident, Harrison football coach Tommy Tice told Sports Illustrated, "You had to be careful what you told Brandon. Brandon believed whatever his coach, his mother and his preacher told him was right. Family members have attended one home game annually to this day. Their affinity for the franchise has been a constant. Its namesake was an Arkansas offensive lineman from 1995 to 1998. https://t.co/FFBoin68fO, Subscribe to our newsletter to get daily updates, Tom Rinaldi interviews Barbara Burlsworth, mother of the late Brandon Burlsworth. His story is the subject of movie that debuts Friday calledGreater.. Mudd went on to scale heights with Indianapolis that included the NFL's all-time winningest regular-season record over a decade (115-45, 2000-09), multiple division titles, two AFC crowns and a World Championship. It became clear that this was a story that would resonate far beyond the state boundaries. While his tragic death may have ended his football career, it didnt stop the linemans ability to change the world. #biGTime #TogetherWeSwarm https://t.co/Ak89larnux, Following a resignation for personal misconduct and an NCAA show-cause penalty, he finds a home at the conservative Christian school in Virginia. I promise you that ball seemed like it was there for 5 or 6 seconds.. 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. Brandon's vehicle collided with an oncoming 18-wheeler, forcing him to re-enter his lane. Tragically, at the age of 22, 10 days after the draft, he was killed in a car accident on April 28th, 1999 while on his way home from the University of Arkansas to attend church with his mom. He had absolutely no quit in him. When he got to Arkansas as a walk-on, he knew that he had to put everything he had into it and more. There is some footage of the real Brandon after the last credits. Fifteen years. So sad, so much promise, such a terrific person. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. Every national championship team that ever played college football has to have a little luck sometime. The now-retired Mudd could be forgiven if he could not remember Burlsworth vividly. Mudd was among the club's personnel who knew Burlsworth the best. A week after the draft, others got a glimpse of the player who drew visible comparisons to TV's Drew Carey. Draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. Do it the right way when no one else is looking. Facebook gives people the power. About Saturday Down South | Ethics and Editorial Standards | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Other Conferences: Big Ten | ACC | Pac-12, "Billy Ratliff was right next to me. Marty Burlsworth: Brandon had entered high school early, so he graduated at 17 years old and was still growing. "I couldn't stop talking to my wife about how impressive he was and what a bright future he had.". When its your time, its your time. Burlsworth, who began his college career as a pudgy walk-on and became a standout offensive lineman for the Razorbacks, was killed in a traffic accident April 28 while driving from the campus to his family's home. "We got to know a lot of Colts personnel at training camp. Through the years, we have stayed close.". Arkansas needed 12 yards for the first down, but that wasnt even necessary. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on April 28, 1999, on . Brandon burlsworth car accident details. He wanted to buy mom a nice house. As the mind flashes back 15 years ago, the accident remains just as tragic. The life of a tremendous human being was ended. That is an incalculable loss.