77), who was killed in a car accident days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1999. "I wanted Brandon's story to be known." Director Yelena Popovic discusses why this film had to be made. Bob has worked in the business community for many years, but his love for working with kids brought him into a teaching career where he is also a teacher in the Mt. I dont think anyone was at fault. Didn't buy it or rent it or watch it on DVD. After the draft, he spoke to me a lot about helping other kids in Harrison. This has been a pretty big year for me tra. Harrison, Arkansas, is set as small town as it receives. He was a Razorback. And he justdominatedon the field didnt matter if he was on defense or offense. She has 3 sons, Marty, Grady and the late Brandon Burlsworth. Martys struggle is not entirely internal. As Brandon and I were standing out there, the offensive linemen came out, running on the field with their helmets on. Just give us a call at 870-741-5111 . And I dont want to say [it means] youre angry at God. 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 football fraternity had great expectations from the talented young man but fate had other plans and he was killed in an accident. by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved, VOL. Bob is optimistic about the real estate market in Harrison and is looking forward to meeting the real estate needs of the clients and customers in the area in and surrounding Harrison. Greater than my narrow expectation of "Rudy Calls the Hogs." By using BiJog.com you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Filming & Production That's not a boast. They love to interact with people of all communities and podcast interviews have become a wonderful outlet for that. The school was going to give Brandon a scholarship. Brandon Burlsworth was born on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. Sign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription. So I started calling coaches and seeing where he could play. Id do anything I could for him. Greater may not be in Rudys league cinematically, but Burlsworth was a far more gifted player than Daniel Rudy Ruettiger. The Passion of the Christ actor talks about the challenges of playing iconic roles and why good movies arent always family-friendly. Brandon Burlsworth - Wikipedia By his senior year, Brandon was an all-conference and all-state player and played in the states All-Star Game. The Olympic Gold Medalist shines light on her Hispanic heritage fueling her career. The mindset, which is inspired by former student Brandon Burlsworth, is all about doing things "the best you can," high school football coach Tommy Tice told "GMA.". Greater Movie Review | Common Sense Media [email protected]. Because we dont want to be there- that close- to some scenes thatll be tough to watch even being filmed. director of photography Film Editing by David L. Hunt . If you followed the SEC back then, you may remember the Brandon Burlsworth story. Even in earthly terms it can be argued that Brandons life and achievements were not a waste. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the foundation and has been with the BBF since 2010. Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. 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. The family respectfully declined. 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. The former Arkansas hostile, Brandon Burlsworth was headed to his Harrison, Ark., home from Fayetteville, where he got a SEC West title ring alongside the remainder of the 1998 Razorbacks on April 28, 1999. And Ill get a photo of you in your uniform. He may be gone, but I still want to do whatever I can to keep his dreams going, to keep his legacy going. We wont be there. After his death, the Arkansas Razorbacks retired his jersey in his honor and encased his locker in glass for public display. Burlsworth rouses 'big brother' actor. He would just say Yeah we did this, we did this, we did this and it was just like this is what were doing, you know he never [said] I cant do this. That just wasnt there because, you know, thats where his faith led him. He was determined to drive home the same day so he could attend evening church service with the family. Pope Francis, Biden Commend Peacemaker Bishop OConnell as Memorial Services Begin. Renew or manage your subscription here. Everybody knew. It was the Razorbacks. Powered by WebJIVE ~ Featured on the Harrison Arkansas Network. Harrison, Arkansas. We had to have the funeral at the high school gym. 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. Official Sites He did not survive the accident and passed away on April 28, 1999. When the producer says Today is probably not a good day [to be on set], thats all he has to say. There just wasnt enough space anywhere else. Greater: Cast/Crew In the end, Brandon got invited to be a walk-on. 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. "Brian wouldn't let go.". The University of Arkansas awarded Marty the prestigious Honorary Alumni Award for his work with underprivileged children. It was 2005, and the Burlsworth family . The next week, Brandon flew to Indianapolis for minicamp. Hes always taking a knee, and he crosses himself (a curious gesture, since from his funeral his family is clearly not Catholic). His jersey #77 was retired at the University of Arkansas as a gesture of honoring his memory. 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Wed been to a couple of Razorbacks games before, and Brandon had seen the stadium and sat in the stands. Leslie Easterbrook plays Burlsworth's mother, Barbar. Brandon belonged on that field, and he knew it. 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. Not as devout as his brother, Marty turns desperately to faith in a moment of crisis when he wants a miracle. Burlsworth was selected to be of the team captains by his junior season in 1997 for the University of Arkansas. Unassuming, devout and a little dense, he never drinks, never swears and never takes anything personally. At the point when he hadn't shown up by 4, Brandon's brother, Marty got a concerned call from his mother and went to her home. Its what he leaned on to work as hard. We drove it to death. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. "He said, 'You'll have veto power,' " Marty Burlsworth remembered. Now, if you find yourself at that Colts shop, I told him, You make sure and get us some gear this time.. But this was my brother. 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? One of my sons, who was in my car with me, started asking what was wrong, what had happened. Vickie L Burlsworth is also associated with this address. Marty and Vickie both have recorded multiple interviews on podcasts across the nation. They put it in more of a condensed form which is the way filmmaking generally always happens. But that first year after Brandons accident, that was- for the whole family, [especially] my mother and me- I mean it was just it was unreal. Arkansas doesnt have a pro football team I dont even know if a pro team could survive here. 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? And would you believe, all these NFL agents started flying into Harrison wanting to sign Brandon. Spreading the Story of a Christ-like Football Hero - PENews Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or He played for the two SEC Western Division championship Razorback football teams in 1995 and 1998 and was named in the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll every single year during that period of time. Why? Brandon was the first ever Arkansas player to complete his masters degree before he appeared in his final game against the University of Texas. 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. It was disappointing, but Brandon wanted to go to Arkansas more than anything and, well, he didnt want any regrets. I wanted everything for Brandon, and within a few moments, it had all been taken away. He had intended to help under advantaged children and the Burlsworth family settled the establishment that in his honor. [W]e went back to church services and I had a friend[who] was going to lead a song or two and he started out with [a song saying] God is good and you know God is so good to me and Im thinking man, I cannot believe youre singing that with me in the buildingthats where my mind was then. French Monastery Survives War and Famine After 885 Years, the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan, and More Great Links! I think it was in June [1999] I think [thats] kinda when that started. He was buried at the Gass Cemetery in Omaha, Arkansas, on May 2, 1999. He earned All-SEC offensive guard in 1997 and 1998, was named first team All-American and was drafted for the Indiana Colts -- a role he didn't get to fulfill because a car wreck that ended his. 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. In 2002, Brandon was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and later in 2004 he was inducted into the University of Arkansas Letterman's Association Hall of Honor. The year is 1999 and Marty Burlsworth is awaiting the funeral of his 22-year-old brother, Brandon. near you, Up-to-date reports of crimes near https://www.ncregister.com/features/sdg-reviews-greater, Man of God A Film of Faith and Tranquility of the Soul for Our Troubled Time, Interview: Jim Caviezel Goes Back to the Bible in Paul, Apostle of Christ, Portuguese Bishops Announce Steps to End Sexual Abuse in the Church, We Know That Hes in Heaven: Thousands Gather for Funeral of Bishop David OConnell in Los Angeles, Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Paprocki Speak Out in Support of Traditional Latin Massgoers in Their Dioceses, Survey: Decline in Vocations to the Priesthood Is Worse Where Priests Serve Larger Flocks, Amber and Dave VanVickle on Finding God in the Midst of Suffering. Background Report. 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. And we were concerned that his faith would take a big backseatAnd we just werent up for that at all. Burlsworth rouses 'big brother' actor - Arkansas Online This was the dream. Vickie's love for children is hard to escape. Hes not going down.. But before all that, Brandon made one last trip to Fayetteville to visit with his Razorbacks teammates. Portrait and Wedding Photographers Arkansas Brandon was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. He wasthatgood. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Marty is registered to vote in Boone County, Arkansas. Not like my younger brother Brandon. A coda sums up the impact of Brandons life: the programs, scholarships and so forth established in his name. Brandons short-lived career involved true honor and character, and thanks to the new film, his legacy will go further and live on as a model for others. COINCIDENCES. Greater is currently playing in theaters and stars Neal McDonough, Christopher Severio, and Leslie Easterbrook. Marty Burlsworth, Brandon's brother, with Neal McDonough, who portrayed Marty in Greater. "I . 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. Although he never played a down in the NFL, he had impressed Mudd enough during mini-camp that the . Arkansas All-American Walk-On Burlsworth Now the Subject of Film Marty Burlsworth | Brandon Burlsworth Foundation | Public Appearances Company Credits In a few weeks hed be heading back. Catholic actor Neal McDonough costars in a Rudy-like faith-based inspirational sports biopic that dares to explore doubt as well as belief. Or Kurt Rambis, the funny-looking center for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brandon was home. My Brother Brandon | By Marty Burlsworth - The Players' Tribune (Marty Burlsworth) Neal McDonough was born on February 13, 1966 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, to Catherine (Bushe) and Frank McDonough, motel owners who were born in Ireland. And then he walked out and there it was: BURLSWORTH. 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. The police could not determine the reason behind the tragic accident. Share. That's an inadequate synopsis of an exemplary life. SubscribeStart your Register subscription today. Trust. Whether it was in Fayetteville, or in Knoxville or Tuscaloosa, we had an unspoken rule: We were going to Brandons games. Marty Burlsworth knew it even as he struggled to understand the horrific ending. Burlsworth Character Award Had you ever thought of Brandons story as a film? EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, But with no scholarship offer coming from Arkansas, Brandon bypassed offers from smaller schools and accepted the invitation to be a preferred walk-on at Arkansas. The 22-year-old, drafted 11 days earlier by the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, was headed home to take his mother to church.
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