At the point when he showed up, he saw the rear of a white vehicle that he from the start thought was Brandon's. Small sins lead to big sins, and big sins bring about a terrible spiritual darkness. On Aug. 26, the movie about his life, Greater, opens nationwide. As for this film, Greater has been more than a decade in the making a labor of love for first-time Arkansas producer Brian Reindl. 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. As it turned out, it was a squad car, with officials there to convey the bad news. But Id do anything for that kid. Although he never played a down in the NFL, he had impressed Mudd enough during mini-camp that the . They tackle that query via Burlsworth's much-older brother Marty (Neal McDonough), who, on the cusp of his sibling's funeral, struggles to understand why awful things happen to the innocent . Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? I wasnt sure. Dang, Marty, what have you been feedin that boy?. We suddenly needed that gear, because we would be rooting for the Colts. And I was equally impressed with Missy, his wife [They] live in Fayetteville and they drove over to Harris to meet with us and she said Whatever he sets his mind to, he gets done that resonates with me because that was like Brandon. And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. Boy, did he have the size and did he have the skills. But me and friends that were close to me were like This is like a movie. Sure, there's some creative license in the movie, but the message rings true. It was composed and produced by Brian Reindl and David Hunt. Brandon was the kind of guy you win with.. Follow him on Twitter. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. One weekend when I was driving with Brandon to campus I think maybe it was his junior year a thought crossed my mind. The brothers age difference is the basis for one of the movies running gags, Martys discomfort at being mistaken for Brandons father. 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. And the only element bigger than excessive faculty soccer in Harrison or anywhere else . Marty Burlsworth, 55, and who was 38 when Brandon died, says they were approached by Hollywood about making a film around Brandon's story many years ago. 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. "I was interested," he said of those early calls from Hollywood. Because we dont want to be there- that close- to some scenes thatll be tough to watch even being filmed. Brandon was the first ever Arkansas player to complete his masters degree before he appeared in his final game against the University of Texas. Even after away games, when the Razorbacks returned to Fayetteville late at What Marty thinks about now, though, is that even when Brandon was in college and then after he was drafted by the Colts, he had all these ideas for how he wanted to help people. Still, with each pick, even in the first round, you get more and more nervous. Vickie's love for children is hard to escape. It was just one of those things when its time, its time. At that point, Arkansas Razorback Coach, Houston Nutt started the phrase after his demise, "Do it the Burls Way". David Hunt, the movies director, also assisted with the screenplay. EIN 27-4581132 That's an inadequate synopsis of an exemplary life. 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. 131 | NO. So by his fourth year at Arkansas, he was already finishing his masters degree. "People are seeing it for the first time, and that's really cool," Marty said. Eleven days later he passed on attending a Razorback ring presentation ceremony to drive to his hometown to take his mom to church. Sometimes Marty goes by various nicknames including Marty L Burlsworth and Marty Leo Burlsworth. I tried bringing it up to him again. Sure, bring him on up for a game, he said. But this was my brother. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an American football player who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks as an offensive lineman between 1995 and 1998. "It was a passion project for everyone who was involved," actor Neal McDonough told CBN News. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. Burlsworth was selected in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts but he was killed eleven days later in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas on April 28, 1999. He was, with various modifiers, Clark Kent. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or Born In: Harrison, Arkansas, United States, siblings: Grady Burlsworth, Marty Burlsworth, place of death: Alpena, Arkansas, United States. Majority of the time she will join him for school appearances. He is most famous for his college football career at the University of Arkansas. He initially joined Arkansas Razorbacks as a walk-on but later he was handed an athletes scholarship and eventually became an all-American. The football fraternity had great expectations from the talented young man but fate had other plans and he was killed in an accident. Chris Severio plays Burlsworth (No. 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. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/brandon-burlsworth-35134.php. Brandon Burlsworth bulked himself up to 300 lbs to be an offensive guard and by his sophomore season in 1996, he had earned a scholarship and a starting position at right guard on the offensive line. Marty and Vickie have three sons, two daughters in law, an adorable granddaughter Blake, and a precious grandson, Carter. 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. Marty is an engaging speaker who presents a strong message of character, commitment, hard work and dedication that resonates with young and old alike. Marty speaks nationwide on developing character and overcoming adversity. He just kicked it in, No, this is not happening.. And he justdominatedon the field didnt matter if he was on defense or offense. 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. Brandons older brother Marty started the foundation after Brandons death in 1999. She called me just before six oclock, with panic and worry in her voice. 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 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. The 22-year-old, drafted 11 days earlier by the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, was headed home to take his mother to church. With The Aid Of Marty Burlsworth. You take care of it, you get things done. Lacking the football scholarship he absurdly hoped for, Brandon turns down full rides elsewhere to attend Arkansas. | Its a good story and, you know, Neal McDonough struggling in the aftermath thats absolutely true. He went to Harrison High School and graduated from there. . (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. or school. All-time overachiever Brandon Burlsworth had his life tragically cut short at the age of 22, but his impact lives on 17 years later . It was 2005 and the . But I didnt have that natural talent. Id do anything I could for him. ", Trouble was, every time he asked "what input would the family have" in how the story was told, he got the same answer: "None.". Not good at all. During the summer of 2007, Bob acquired his real estate license and in 2010 acquired his brokers license and is currently the Executive Broker for Burlsworth and Associates. He's been gone to a better place for almost as long. Greater may not be in Rudys league cinematically, but Burlsworth was a far more gifted player than Daniel Rudy Ruettiger. "He said, 'You'll have veto power,' " Marty Burlsworth remembered. | This story focuses on Burlsworth's ambition, work ethic, family relationships, and strong religious convictions; teamwork and courage are strong themes. Marty Burlsworth tells us about bringing the story of Greater to the screen, his relationship with Brandon, and making ones way through understanding and accepting God in times of crisis. It was the Razorbacks. The Passion of the Christ actor talks about the challenges of playing iconic roles and why good movies arent always family-friendly. [To] anyone whos struggling with their faith when something catastrophic happens, I guess the best thing I can say is- to me- thats somewhat normal. 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. It was just something that we thought of, you know. Ive heard the director say many times what weve done is [put] that [whole] first year [after the accident] in Neals piece in this movie. 2018 Burlsworth & Associates Real Estate in Harrison, AR An expression that implied do it the correct way, in any event, when nobody is looking. The University of Arkansas awarded Marty the prestigious Honorary Alumni Award for his work with underprivileged children. Marty's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown; and religious views are listed as Christian. She has been married to Johnny 20+ years and they have a son, Haden and his wife, Tristen, and a daughter, Haley. But [the death was] not the ending. And in Arkansas it was a statewide tragedy. EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. To this day, people tell me where they were when they heard the news. Mom and I picked him up at the airport when he came home. Harrison, Arkansas. Martys struggle is not entirely internal. As quarterback Clint Stoerner accepted the snap and backed away from the center his foot got tangled up with Burlsworth, who was to his right and was backing up, trying to hold his block. The struggles that he had gone through to get where he was were over. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. Where it doesnt have such a bad ending? So we had talked to a group or two out of California that had pitched the idea but we just never were at peace or had any comfort. And it was Brandons time. Caveat Spectator: Football roughness; some language; some thematic elements including alcoholism and religious questioning. It goes without saying that Brandon, making the team as a walk-on (a player who is not recruited or offered an athletic scholarship), is harassed and abused by his teammates. By Carl Kozlowski. We watched the game from this conference room at the top of the stadium. While the film might not give Burlsworth enough credit for what talent he did have no one goes from walk-on to All-American without some ability he did always seem to have a knack for doing what seemed impossible. 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 and his wife Tresia have four children, Michael, Jordan, Brandon and Samantha. A film about Brandon's existence with the working title "Greater" was shot in 2013 and was released as a feature movie on August 26, 2016. (Now we see through a glass darkly ). Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert are back to explain the stakes, place bets and analyze the most valuable players in the NBA Finals. He told the family, "We don't want to take Brandon's faith out of this movie.". Its condensed. So when he was two hours late that evening, Mom started to get worried. And Ill get a photo of you in your uniform. It had this outdoor patio that you could stand on and look down on the field. Had you ever thought of Brandons story as a film? And when its Friday night here in Harrison and the whole town is at the football game, I think about Brandon. arkansas football. Brandons family and friends came together to form the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in his honor. Marty is registered to vote in Boone County, Arkansas. After the draft, he spoke to me a lot about helping other kids in Harrison. 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. The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier in the wake of gaining first-group All-America respects as a fifth-year senior, was involved with a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer around 15 miles outside Harrison and was killed. He died instantly. I want him here, buthellknow andwellknow., Coach, dont worry about it. Brandon did not get married before he passed away when he was only twenty-two years old. The family respectfully declined. When Stoerner fell the ball came out and Tennessee recovered. Yeah, lets go buy some Colts stuff.. I kept track of how many might be left for Brandon.O.K., they gave one to that boy, thats 12 so far. Obese, unathletic and clumsy, Brandon confronts his shortcomings as sports-underdog movie heroes have ever done: through determination, hard work and a limitless capacity to absorb punishment, both physical and social. They are active members of the Northside Church of Christ in Harrison, Ar. by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved, VOL. Brandon was also the first Arkansas football player to complete his Masters Degree before playing his final college football game. They love to interact with people of all communities and podcast interviews have become a wonderful outlet for that. Harrison, Arkansas, is about as small town as it gets. During his first year, he faced a delay in earning his eligibility and worked hard to transform his 300lb chubby physique into a moderate 260lb body. Trophy honors most outstanding Walk-On for twelfth year . The latest videos from KNWA FOX24. He spent his first season of high school football as a sophomore on the sidelines. Catholic Church. Especially after it was all over and, you know, that was bad times. Each Wednesday, he came back to take his mother, Barbara, to chapel.
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