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. He shows up at the stadium for practice long before anyone else is there and when one of the coaches finds him, hes idly picking up litter in the parking lot. That's an inadequate synopsis of an exemplary life. From anyone who is struggling with God because of a loss theyve faced, especially one as devastating as a close family member, what wisdom would you share with them? Marty Burlsworth Discusses Brandon Burlsworth's Nomination for the CFB Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Marty Burlsworth Discusses Brandon Burlsworth's Nomination for the CFB Hall of Fame Class of. The family respectfully declined. In the film, we see a lot of moments where the Marty character is learning from the persistence and drive of Brandon. He loved football, Marty said. "I was interested," he said of those early calls from Hollywood. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. It just seemed like it was just a storybook thingwith a at that time just seemed like a bad ending Its such a great story, how can it be told, you know? print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. The main [concern] was that it was going to go somewhere that really never happened. | Copyright 2023 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved. Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert are back to explain the stakes, place bets and analyze the most valuable players in the NBA Finals. Brandon Burlsworth studied at the Harrison High School where he was an all-state selection. Brandon didnt dress the first two games of his freshman season, but we found out that hed be on the field for the third. (as Stephen Raynor-Endelman) (music by) Cinematography by Gabe Mayhan . Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? Not good at all. Greater than my previous knowledge of a young man's winding road from small-town walk-on to home-state hero. They love to interact with people of all communities and podcast interviews have become a wonderful outlet for that. I was 16 years older than Brandon, so I was already out of the house, married and raising my own boys by the time he was of any age. He slept either in his little room at his mother's house or at his brother Marty's, to be close to his three nephews. 2022 by BBF. 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. Its clear, though, that Martys harshness is meant as the tough love of an older brother obliged to assume a father-figure role in the absence of their alcoholic bum of a father (Michael Parks of the Kill Bill movies in a small but affecting role). Harrison, Arkansas, United States. People were swinging by all day. We planned to move out to Indianapolis with him. He is a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. Had you ever thought of Brandons story as a film? Nick Searcy plays an unnamed character who chats with Marty about the apparent absurdity of existence, and their discussion is a bold and unusual move, even a genre-bending move. Marty is an engaging speaker who presents a strong message of character, commitment, hard work and dedication that resonates with young and old alike. Birthday: September 20, 1976 ( Virgo) Born In: Harrison, Arkansas, United States 113 30 American Football Players #138 Sportspersons #1083 Quick Facts Also Known As: Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth Died At Age: 22 Family: father: Leo Burlsworth mother: Barbara Burlsworth siblings: Grady Burlsworth, Marty Burlsworth Died Young American Football Players In 1999, he completed an MBA and was the first Razorback football player to complete a master's degree. Brian Reindl, writer and producer of "Greater," said he loved the opportunity to tell such an incredible story in his first-ever production. Brandon was home. Itll be real cool.. As they chat, Searcy whittles a face on a block of wood, a symbolic quirk with a meaning made nearly explicit in a startling line. Its condensed. It just takes some time. Every chance he got, Burlsworth went home to Harrison, a town of about 10,000 in the Ozarks, near the Missouri state line. I mean everybody knew. Greater is a very emotional movie and it deals with figuring out your faith in times of grief and loss. After the season, over the holidays, we got a call. French Monastery Survives War and Famine After 885 Years, the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan, and More Great Links! Brazilian Charity Caring for Children Who Survived Abortions Issues Urgent Appeal, Memento Mori: Remember You Are Going to Die, The Meat of the Matter: St. Patricks Day and the Lenten Fast, Pope Francis Inexhaustible Font of Words: 10 Gems From the Heart Over 10 Years. Each Wednesday, he came back to take his mother, Barbara, to chapel. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. "I was interested," he said of those early calls from Hollywood. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . A deep dedication to our nations youth is a high priority of the Burlsworth family. Harrison, Arkansas, is set as small town as it receives. 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. Catholic Church. But I didnt have that natural talent. The foundation, which symbolizes his ethics and values, works for the benefit of needy children and provides them with physical as well as spiritual support, something Brandon was known for. Pope Francis, Biden Commend Peacemaker Bishop OConnell as Memorial Services Begin. So I think its normal. There are about 11,000 people in town and one unspoken rule: If its Friday night, youre going to the Harrison High football game. That's not a boast. Greater is currently playing in theaters and stars Neal McDonough, Christopher Severio, and Leslie Easterbrook. Vickie L Burlsworth is also associated with this address. (as David Hunt) (directed by) Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Produced by Music by Stephen Endelman . Not like my younger brother Brandon. Cindi Hagood is our Program Director of the Eyes of a Champion program. I know hes working hard, but hell know and well know., Coach, mark it down. It's "Greater." The drive would always take around an hour and a half but he never made it. Greaters response to the problem of evil, to disbelief and nihilism, is not an argument, but an action: a choice to trust. But this was my brother. I dont think I got there. I didn't see it in the theater. 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. The family respectfully declined. The odds were against him and nobody was looking his way. And every week he was right on time with his little white Subaru parked in Moms driveway. By that point he was about six-foot-two, over 200 pounds and still growing. "People are seeing it for the first time, and that's really cool," Marty said. Boy, did he have the size and did he have the skills. But he had his priorities right. 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. No, we just kind of kept that to ourselves. We first meet him as an overweight young couch potato (Ethan Waller) with apparent delusions of grandeur: Hes convinced hes going to attend the University of Arkansas and play for the Razorbacks. Marty Burlsworth is available to appear at special events as his schedule allows. 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. He spent his first season of high school football as a sophomore on the sidelines. The police could not determine the reason behind the tragic accident. 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. Most important to Marty and the Burlsworth family: They kept us in the loop.. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Barbara Burlsworth has been in real estate since 1997. He grew up in Barnstable, Massachusetts, graduated from Barnstable High School, and attended Syracuse University. Of course, he was my brother and you do anything for family, but things were a little tougher for him. Greater, a film depicting the life and tragic death of Brandon Burlsworth will be released in theaters on August 26th. Even after away games, when the Razorbacks returned to Fayetteville late at MORE: Deserving teacher who received $530 from plane passengers surprised with more than . He spent as many days as he could in the weight room getting stronger. But I knew we still needed a scholarship. Its what he leaned on to work as hard. As we walked by one of the pro shops, we joked to each other. He graduated from high school in 1994 and was recruited as a football player for the University of Arkansas. Marty Burlsworth is available to appear at special events as his schedule allows. His screenplay grew out of the book Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story, by Jeff Kinley. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an American football player who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks as an offensive lineman between 1995 and 1998. Anything that wasnt right, wasnt real, wasnt what Brandon was about. And I dont want to say [it means] youre angry at God. of prospects that meet your criteria, Monitor any person, property or
. So you didnt know if that was going to happen but that wasnt really the main [concern]. Neal McDonough (L) plays Marty Burlsworth in 'Greater' (Hammond Entertainment). But before all that, Brandon made one last trip to Fayetteville to visit with his Razorbacks teammates. Yeah, lets go buy some Colts stuff.. We werent proactive at all in [making a movie]. He believes by sheer word of mouth, the movie will develop a dedicated following. His No. He graduated from high school in 1994 and was recruited as a football player for the University of Arkansas. Brandons older brother Marty started the foundation after Brandons death in 1999. Small sins lead to big sins, and big sins bring about a terrible spiritual darkness. Thats pretty tough. Weve felt like weve been very involved and kept up to date on what was going on and were very happy with the outcome. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. Director Yelena Popovic discusses why this film had to be made. She called me just before six oclock, with panic and worry in her voice. He did not survive the accident and passed away on April 28, 1999. Evelyn Allen started as the Development and Social Media Director for the foundation in March of 2020. "I know Brandon would be super proud of that," Marty said . In the wake of new restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass, two American bishops spoke with EWTNs Raymond Arroyo Thursday about how their dioceses have responded. News. Possible relatives for Marty Burlsworth include Roselee Arnold, Keshia Flowers, Brady Burlsworth and several . It was composed and produced by Brian Reindl and David Hunt. Marty Leo Burlsworth's Arkansas Voter Registration. Apr 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. But Arkansas was the dream. But as good as he was, Brandon was also a late bloomer he was only 17 his senior year and he was still a little undersized for college ball. He was the kind of guy that we would have plugged in our offensive line for 10-plus years, said then-Colts general manager Bill Polian. The University of Arkansas prides itself on doing things the "Burls Way.". Harrison, Arkansas, is about as small town as it gets. Starting the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation shortly after his death, even as the grief was overwhelming, just set those plans into motion sooner. The voices of faith, hope and trust or the voices of doubt, disbelief and despair?. As the tagline proclaims, Greater tells the incredible true story of dreamer Brandon Burlsworth who set his mind to joining the University of Arkansas Razorbacks and through great effort and commitment, accomplished just that. Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. Named an All-American in 1998, he was drafted in 1999 by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round 11 days before being killed in a vehicular accident. He found it in routine and repetition, in church and in the trenches, in that place where they call the Hogs and even an Alabama visitor can feel what it means for a young man from Harrison, Ark., to call himself a Razorback. So was I. That looks good, doesnt it? I said. 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. Especially after it was all over and, you know, that was bad times. Brandon did not get married before he passed away when he was only twenty-two years old. Now, if you find yourself at that Colts shop, I told him, You make sure and get us some gear this time.. Greater, a film about Arkansas offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth, opens Aug. 26. A coda sums up the impact of Brandons life: the programs, scholarships and so forth established in his name. There were many times I know it was tough. The story unfolds in two strands. Marty is an engaging speaker who presents a strong message of character, commitment, hard work and dedication that resonates with young and old alike. I want him here, buthellknow andwellknow., Coach, dont worry about it. If you followed the SEC back then, you may remember the Brandon Burlsworth story. Marty Burlsworth Discusses the Upcoming 2021 Brandon Pig Trail Nation / Jun 1, 2021 / 04:30 PM CDT. Vickie's love for children is hard to escape. Now, more than ever, with the success of GREATER, he enjoys meeting the fans of his brother Brandon and encouraging others to. Harrison, Arkansas. by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved, VOL. Marty Burlsworth Aug 26, 2016 Harrison, Arkansas, is about as small town as it gets. 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. I opened the door to Moms house and she was in a state. They can assist you with all your real estate needs. Marty speaks nationwide on developing character and overcoming adversity. (The devoutly Catholic McDonough, who also executive produced, has called Marty Burlsworth his favorite role.). Brandon Burlsworth was born on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. It was 2005, and the Burlsworth family . She started her career with Century 21 and then joined Jerry Jackson as he opened his office in 2001. But I remember going back to churchclose after the accident and after the death had settled a little bit. A couple of weeks before Brandon left for school, one of the Arkansas coaches called me. He was also named to the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll 1995-1998 and was the first football player in the entire history of his university to earn a Master's degree "before" playing his last game. A list of possible email addresses for Marty includes burlsworth@cox.net, mburlsworth@aol.com. Creative camerawork is another asset; consider a moment of rapprochement lit by car headlights and filmed through swishing windshield-wiper blades on a night of pouring rain. And I know a lot of good has come out of it and I think a lot of good is going to continue to come out of it and only grow what were [doing] through this film and through Brandons foundation, to impact a lot of kids for many years. Follow him on Twitter. I would talk to him most every night. Neal McDonough plays his older brother, Marty, who took on a father figure role after their parents divorced. Greater than my narrow expectation of "Rudy Calls the Hogs." As the Burlsworth Trophy has become a success and now the film is being released, Marty said he and the Burlsworth family are thrilled to see Brandon's story continue to be told nationally.