He is married to Vickie who serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation. 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. Faith and family they meant everything to Brandon. A couple of weeks before Brandon left for school, one of the Arkansas coaches called me. 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 He died instantly. With The Aid Of Marty Burlsworth - SECHARS When Marty asks Barbara how she justifies going deep into debt for Brandons quixotic dream, she says simply, My son knows I have faith. This could mean faith in God, but I took it to mean that money was no object if it meant Brandon knew his mother believed in him. Greater than my previous knowledge of a young man's winding road from small-town walk-on to home-state hero. Becoming a Razorback As the title suggests, this is the story of the most successful walk-on in the history of college football at the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. Some of the tougher scenes, you know, thats a little different. Greater, a 2016 release, tells the life story of Burlsworth, who rose from mediocrity to greatness depending on his faith.Just 10 days after being drafted by the NFL's Indianapolis . Greater may not be in Rudys league cinematically, but Burlsworth was a far more gifted player than Daniel Rudy Ruettiger. Small sins lead to big sins, and big sins bring about a terrible spiritual darkness. Marty is an engaging speaker who presents a strong message of character, commitment, hard work and dedication that resonates with young and old alike. Not good at all. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an American football player who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks as an offensive lineman between 1995 and 1998. His faith, his family and his football, in that order. Marty Burlsworth is available to appear at special events as his schedule allows. The year is 1999 and Marty Burlsworth is awaiting the funeral of his 22-year-old brother, Brandon. Boy, did he have the size and did he have the skills. He believes by sheer word of mouth, the movie will develop a dedicated following. 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. When the producer says Today is probably not a good day [to be on set], thats all he has to say. Holy Communion From the Chalice Reintroduced in the UK: What About the US? . Hed call me or Id call him and we would talk about what practice was like that day. EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Marty Burlsworth of New Faith-Based Film "Greater": The Incredible God-story Behind College a Football Legend Didn't buy it or rent it or watch it on DVD. Burlsworth rouses 'big brother' actor. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. His faith is what he relied on. And every week he was right on time with his little white Subaru parked in Moms driveway. You take care of it, you get things done. Im sure he just got stuck in traffic, or maybe ran out of gas. Harrison, Arkansas, is set as small town as it receives. Surely God will hear Brandons prayer, if not his own; the prayer of a righteous man avails much, and if anyone is righteous, its Brandon. Evelyn Allen started as the Development and Social Media Director for the foundation in March of 2020. There are about 11,000 people in town and one unspoken rule: If it's Friday night, you're going to the Harrison High football game. Most important to Marty and the Burlsworth family: They kept us in the loop.. So that makes it quite a bit easier to revisit because weve never really gone away. An expression that implied do it the correct way, in any event, when nobody is looking. near you, Up-to-date reports of crimes near Marty Burlsworth and his agents have been and will continue to be trusted names in the real estate market. Public records for Marty Burlsworth range in age from 35 years old to 61 years old. Dramatic backlighting and silhouettes create a sense of foreboding and uncertainty, resonating with the themes of tragedy and doubt. Bob has been active in the community for many years from volunteer coaching youth sports activities such as soccer, baseball and basketball and also serving in a leadership capacity in community organizations and boards such as United Way, North Arkansas Soccer Association and the Bergman School Board. The Passion of the Christ actor talks about the challenges of playing iconic roles and why good movies arent always family-friendly. They are active members of the Northside Church of Christ in Harrison, Ar. Unassuming, devout and a little dense, he never drinks, never swears and never takes anything personally. Marty Burlsworth knew it even as he struggled to understand the horrific ending. The drive would always take around an hour and a half but he never made it. Even his peers saw an innocent kid who just didnt understand why he couldnt make it in college football, and certainly not the NFL. Marty is an engaging speaker who presents a strong message of character, commitment, hard work and dedication that resonates with young and old alike. 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? The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. The life and still-impactful legacy of Brandon Burlsworth "Brian wouldn't let go.". But I didnt have that natural talent. On the way there, Burlsworth died an unthinkable death that shook the entire state. Marty Leo Burlsworth (age 62) is listed at 3775 Savannah Drive Harrison, Ar 72601 and is affiliated with the Optional Party. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or Mr. Severio sounds like a guy that Brandon Burlsworth would have been proud to have depict him in a movie, as a selfless, hard-working, humble, self-deprecating character. He was determined to drive home the same day so he could attend evening church service with the family. Now, at Arkansas and Indianapolis Burls Kids attend games for free. So by his fourth year at Arkansas, he was already finishing his masters degree. Vickie's love for children is hard to escape. Marty and Vickie have three sons, two daughters in law, an adorable granddaughter Blake, and a precious grandson, Carter. On top of that, Dad had trouble with drinking and wasnt really in our lives when Brandon was a little boy. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. Eleven days later he passed on attending a Razorback ring presentation ceremony to drive to his hometown to take his mom to church. of prospects that meet your criteria, Monitor any person, property or Spreading the Story of a Christ-like Football Hero - PENews The present-day strand follows preparations for Brandons funeral and Martys internal struggle with doubt and nihilism, a struggle movingly realized by McDonough. The main [concern] was that it was going to go somewhere that really never happened. 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. 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. I had about 212,000 miles on it by the time I got rid of it. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation is a symbol of Brandons work ethics and Christian values and provides support to children with limited opportunities. Born In: Harrison, Arkansas, United States, siblings: Grady Burlsworth, Marty Burlsworth, place of death: Alpena, Arkansas, United States. Greaters response to the problem of evil, to disbelief and nihilism, is not an argument, but an action: a choice to trust. View Marty Burlsworth's record in Harrison, AR including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Brandon's passionate yet painful faith story is now captured in a film called "Greater" which is inspired by the book written about the life of number 77. Marty's wife, Vickie is also available to speak when their schedule allows. Brandon, the officer told us, had collided head-on with a semi. After his death, the Arkansas Razorbacks retired his jersey in his honor and encased his locker in glass for public display. That's what Brandon did. director of photography Film Editing by David L. Hunt . It would take 11 years - with Reindl financing the independent production himself when other investors dried up - but in 2016, "Greater" hit the theaters. Brandons older brother Marty started the foundation after Brandons death in 1999. I kept track of how many might be left for Brandon.O.K., they gave one to that boy, thats 12 so far. He goes through something we all face when we experience tragedy and trials: Which voices do we listen to? Marty and Vickie have three sons, two daughters in law, an adorable granddaughter Blake, and a precious grandson, Carter. Thats pretty tough. And he justdominatedon the field didnt matter if he was on defense or offense. He wont be going down., Well, thats good, he said, sort of laughing. 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. 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. 2022 by BBF. 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. It always seemed like a movie to me. And I didnt want him to always be wondering what could have been. 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. He had planned to help underprivileged children, and his. So because you and your close ones felt like this story could be a film, did you make that known and/or start looking for filmmakers to bring it to life? 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. If there was anything inappropriate in it, of course that was all made up. He never got there, dying in a car accident at age 22. Black horn-rimmed glasses. Vickie Burlsworth is the Executive Director of the Foundation that she and Marty founded honoring Brandon after his passing in 1999. 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. Director Yelena Popovic discusses why this film had to be made. Brandon Burlsworth was born on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. Even after away games, when the Razorbacks returned to Fayetteville late at Predictably, trash-talking opponents laughed at him and called him names. Arkansas All-American Walk-On Burlsworth Now the Subject of Film Selfishly, I don't want Brandon to be forgotten. Some of that was a little bit of filmmaking andwe were fine with it. 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. properties, Build a downloadable list So before he started his senior year, I started working on getting my certification. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. 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. 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. By his senior year, Brandon was an all-conference and all-state player and played in the states All-Star Game. Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. 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 tried bringing it up to him again. Brandon did not get married before he passed away when he was only twenty-two years old. There he is, 300 pounds, and he just runs down this linebacker. | (Now we see through a glass darkly ). Hed be all over the line, right off the snap. So I think its normal. Beliefnet Exclusive Interview: Marty Burlsworth on "Greater" Wed been to a couple of Razorbacks games before, and Brandon had seen the stadium and sat in the stands. Reindl made another unique promise that he kept. The University of Arkansas prides itself on doing things the "Burls Way.". His jersey #77 was retired at the University of Arkansas as a gesture of honoring his memory. Brandon Burlsworth - Football Players, Family and Childhood After the draft, he spoke to me a lot about helping other kids in Harrison. Youll have all your coursework done and can graduate at the end of the year anyway., Yeah, he said with a smile. Greater: Brandon Burlsworth movie as unlikely as Razorback career Burlsworth and Associates Real Estate in Harrison, Arkansas. Realtors 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. Greater uses Marty to critique misguided or deficient forms of faith prior to Brandons death. Teens and up. It was all over ESPN. I'd traveled to Razorback Stadium for decades - long considered it the SEC's most hospitable hostile environment - so I thought I knew the story of Arkansas football legend Brandon 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. EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, (as Stephen Raynor-Endelman) (music by) Cinematography by Gabe Mayhan . He told the family, "We don't want to take Brandon's faith out of this movie.". And the first call I made was to the recruiting coordinator at Arkansas. Now, more than ever, with the success of GREATER, he enjoys meeting the fans of his brother Brandon and encouraging others to. Marty and Vickie Burlsworth - Owner - LinkedIn Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. Thats the dream. When he set his mind to something, you better believe you were going to witness him do it. Meet Marty Burlsworth and his Team of Real Estate Professionals! When Stoerner fell the ball came out and Tennessee recovered. Along with Brandons rise, Greater equally focuses on the loss experienced by Brandons family, especially his brother Marty, and the questions about Gods goodness that are stirred by the heartache and grief. Marty Burlsworth Discusses the Upcoming 2021 Brandon Burlsworth