Marty Leo Burlsworth's Arkansas Voter Registration. I would talk to him most every night. Marty speaks nationwide on developing character and overcoming adversity. But this was on a different level. The school was going to give Brandon a scholarship. Or Kurt Rambis, the funny-looking center for the Los Angeles Lakers. Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Marty is an engaging speaker who presents a strong message of character, commitment, hard work and dedication that resonates with young and old alike. Even his peers saw an innocent kid who just didn't understand why he couldn't make it in college football, and certainly not the NFL. At that point, Arkansas Razorback Coach, Houston Nutt started the phrase after his demise, "Do it the Burls Way". When the producer says Today is probably not a good day [to be on set], thats all he has to say. But Brandon would stay on campus, working painting the stadium, setting up dorms, things like that and taking classes. 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.". As it turned out, it was a squad car, with officials there to convey the bad news. Harrison, Arkansas, is set as small town as it receives. Marty Leo Burlsworth (age 62) is listed at 3775 Savannah Drive Harrison, Ar 72601 and is affiliated with the Optional Party. I was just so proud of him. All-time overachiever Brandon Burlsworth had his life tragically cut short at the age of 22, but his impact lives on 17 years later . Burlsworth was selected to be of the team captains by his junior season in 1997 for the University of Arkansas. He took my call, but I couldnt tell just how interested he was. Burlsworth died in a car accident on April 28, 1999, and his story of faith and conviction has been gaining recognition in recent years due to various programs and a new biopic called "Greater.". He is married to Vickie who serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an American football player who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks as an offensive lineman between 1995 and 1998. 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. 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. The University of Arkansas prides itself on doing things the "Burls Way.". And would you believe, all these NFL agents started flying into Harrison wanting to sign Brandon. 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. He goes through something we all face when we experience tragedy and trials: Which voices do we listen to? He never got there, dying in a car accident at age 22. 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. EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, I know hes working hard, but hell know and well know., Coach, mark it down. Brandons family and friends came together to form the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in his honor. So that makes it quite a bit easier to revisit because weve never really gone away. Faith and family they meant everything to Brandon. Greater than my limited understanding of the painful search for meaning every time a life ends so young. When Stoerner fell the ball came out and Tennessee recovered. Surely, he reasons, God will be merciful; Marty would be, and he cant be more merciful than God. We just never felt comfortable with the literary license or whatever, said Marty, who to a degree was both brother and father; their father had long ago divorced from their mother, Barbara, and Leo Burlsworth died of cancer while Brandon was in college. It's a show of faith. We probably put 30,000 miles on my minivan each season. So I did whatever I could to be there for Brandon. His high school coaches couldnt believe his size when he came back for his junior season. 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. I can only hope I did as much as I could to help him. Youll have all your coursework done and can graduate at the end of the year anyway., Yeah, he said with a smile. . The voices of faith, hope and trust or the voices of doubt, disbelief and despair?. Id do anything I could for him. We still dont really know what happened that afternoon. Chris Severio plays Burlsworth (No. You know, Brandon, you could think about entering the draft. The next week, Brandon flew to Indianapolis for minicamp. If its difficult to describe the love for a brother, its impossible to explain the loss of a brother. Holy Communion From the Chalice Reintroduced in the UK: What About the US? The family respectfully declined. Some of the tougher scenes, you know, thats a little different. Sign-up for E-NewsletterGet Register Updates sent daily or weeklyto your inbox. Brandon Burlsworth was known as an American professional football player. He is most famous for his college football career at the University of Arkansas. Vickie's love for children is hard to escape. And boy, was he soaking it in. Leslie Easterbrook plays Burlsworth's mother, Barbar. MORE: Deserving teacher who received $530 from plane passengers surprised with more than . Real Estate. 2023 Marty Burlsworth is available to appear at special events as his schedule allows. And then we were approached 11 years ago by Brian Reindl whos the producer- who had no experience in the filmmaking industry at all but had a passion for it. "It was a struggle similar to Brandon's struggle to play college football," Marty Burlsworth said. Marty Burlsworth, Chairman/CEO and founder of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, is a resident of Harrison, Arkansas. So I started calling coaches and seeing where he could play. 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. 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. Public records for Marty Burlsworth range in age from 35 years old to 61 years old. Not good at all. Marty Burlsworth Discusses the Upcoming 2021 Brandon Pig Trail Nation / Jun 1, 2021 / 04:30 PM CDT. Marty Burlsworth, in the aftermath of Brandon's death, suffers a crisis of conscience that questions his . to you, Keep an eye on trends and events A couple of weeks before Brandon left for school, one of the Arkansas coaches called me. Man, you might get to play at the next level., Ah, I dont know, I just gotta focus on this season.. This has been a pretty big year for me tra. 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. 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 is a very emotional movie and it deals with figuring out your faith in times of grief and loss. And the first call I made was to the recruiting coordinator at Arkansas. Official Sites We may still get one. I didn't see it in the theater. The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference. Some of that was a little bit of filmmaking andwe were fine with it. "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 . They are active members of the Northside Church of Christ in Harrison, Ar. Director David Hunt (from left) poses Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, with producer Brian Reindl, and Marty Burlsworth, brother of Brandon Burlsworth, during a red carpet event ahead of the premiere of . Over the next two years he reformed his body to become more muscular and went back to a 300lb physique. So a few months after his death, we started the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, where we do all of that and more. Harrison, Arkansas. He was determined to drive home the same day so he could attend evening church service with the family. Eleven days later he passed on attending a Razorback ring presentation ceremony to drive to his hometown to take his mom to church. It was composed and produced by Brian Reindl and David Hunt. you, Subscribe to The Daily 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. So you just walk down this side of the stadium, O.K.? Evelyn lives in North Little Rock, AR with her husband, Paul, two sons, Bo and Owen, and dog Layla. Brandon was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. Greaters response to the problem of evil, to disbelief and nihilism, is not an argument, but an action: a choice to trust. Not that it got him very far initially. Brandon Burlsworth was born on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. The police could not determine the reason behind the tragic accident. And in Arkansas it was a statewide tragedy. Had life turned out differently, Marty Burlsworth might be reflecting on his brother's pro football career during Super Bowl weekend. Marty Burlsworth is available to appear at special events as his schedule allows. | We planned to move out to Indianapolis with him. Order Bulk SubscriptionsGet a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization Brandon wanted to do more, though. As far as Brandon goes and reliving everything- through his foundation weve always kept his memory alive and his example out there for kids ever since his accident. And that spring, the Burls boys found themselves in Indianapolis at the combine. 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. Brandon Burlsworth was born on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. 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. 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 . He asked me to help him, but theres all this certification that goes into being an agent. I mean it was for me. By all accounts, Burlsworth spent his 22 years on this earth showing everyone in his orbit how to do faith, family and football right. Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. Just give us a call at 870-741-5111 . 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. Greater may not be in Rudys league cinematically, but Burlsworth was a far more gifted player than Daniel Rudy Ruettiger. Marty says the finished product doesnt get everything exact, such as speeding up the time of events and taking conversations that happened over the phone and making them into face-to-face exchanges, but thats not a criticism just a nod to the difference between a book and a screenplay. Whether it was in Fayetteville, or in Knoxville or Tuscaloosa, we had an unspoken rule: We were going to Brandons games. This one painful scene is wiser than all the movies the Fireproof / Courageous people have made (including their football movie, Facing the Giants). They put it in more of a condensed form which is the way filmmaking generally always happens. By Carl Kozlowski. One of my sons, who was in my car with me, started asking what was wrong, what had happened. Marty's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown; and religious views are listed as Christian. Brandons exceptional journey came to an abrupt, tragic end when a devastating car crash took his life, shocking his hometown, the state of Arkansas, and the national football community. In the end, Brandon got invited to be a walk-on. The movie will be shown on 800 screens throughout the U.S. on March 21 and March 28. Possible relatives for Marty Burlsworth include Roselee Arnold, Keshia Flowers, Brady Burlsworth and several . After the season, over the holidays, we got a call. Greater has three surprises, which is three more than most faith-based films, particularly of the inspirational sports-movie variety. She received her Bachelors in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. So before he started his senior year, I started working on getting my certification. He may be gone, but I still want to do whatever I can to keep his dreams going, to keep his legacy going. Marty wont predict how the Razorbacks will finish in the SEC this season, but he will say that he believes Greater is the kind of film that people will want to see more than once because there are layers of life lessons. We want Brandon here, but if he cant handle it I can see what I can do to get him to a smaller school, he said. Brandons number 77 became one of only two numbers retired in Arkansas Razorback football history. His thick black glasses and resemblance to comedian Drew Carey gave him a unique look. 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. You take care of it, you get things done. His screenplay grew out of the book Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story, by Jeff Kinley. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. On the way there, Burlsworth died an unthinkable death that shook the entire state. It just takes some time. 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. . 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. With The Aid Of Marty Burlsworth. Proudly created with Wix.com. 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. How is the dynamic in reality versus how its shown in the film? director of photography Film Editing by David L. Hunt . The phones calls started coming right after that. 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. A shepherd during his younger brother's life, he would become a keeper of his legacy as well. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Third, its beautifully and atmospherically shot by director David Hunt and cinematographer Gabe Mayan. Marty Burlsworth knew it even as he struggled to understand the horrific ending. Even in earthly terms it can be argued that Brandons life and achievements were not a waste. Was there anything that you had to do for yourself spiritually or emotionally to prepare for the making of this movie? After his death at a young age, the football community came together to pay tribute to his achievements and his family and friends built a foundation in his name. The brothers age difference is the basis for one of the movies running gags, Martys discomfort at being mistaken for Brandons father. Walk-on player from Harrison, Ark., considered a long shot to get real playing time. The movies response to this question comes in the form of a metaphor. After working 11 years on his Brandon Burlsworth biopic Greater, Reindl is within days of seeing his dream project open on 400 to 450 screens across the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest next week.. Burlsworth was an All-American football player for the University of Arkansas, who died tragically in an automobile . There are about eleven,000 human beings in town and one unstated rule: If it's Friday night, you're going to the Harrison High soccer sport. A coda sums up the impact of Brandons life: the programs, scholarships and so forth established in his name. He died instantly. But I didnt have that natural talent. He lauds Chris Severio for his measured portrayal of Brandon, and veteran actor Neal McDonough, he says, does a tremendous job as Marty Burlsworth. Anything that wasnt right, wasnt real, wasnt what Brandon was about. Trophy honors most outstanding Walk-On for twelfth year . So I think its normal. Opposing teams made game plans just to handle Brandon. We found 2 people in 2 states named Marty Burlsworth living in the US. Now, more than ever, with the success of GREATER, he enjoys meeting the fans of his brother Brandon and encouraging others to. Then I turned on Netflix and watched an honest, humble, earnest movie about the man called "Greater.". What was your first thought when someone approached you about making Greater? 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. Because we dont want to be there- that close- to some scenes thatll be tough to watch even being filmed. Marty and Vickie have three sons, two daughters in law, an adorable granddaughter Blake, and a precious grandson, Carter. Everybody knew. He played on both sides of the ball and would just blow the field up. 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. Theres no explanation for it. Less than two weeks before, I had watched as Brandon stood on the front lawn of Moms house and gave interviews to local TV crews about getting picked in the NFL draft. 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. Born In: Harrison, Arkansas, United States, siblings: Grady Burlsworth, Marty Burlsworth, place of death: Alpena, Arkansas, United States. Directed by David L. Hunt . She called me just before six oclock, with panic and worry in her voice. Locations and showtimes are available onwww.greaterthemovie.com. [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. The football fraternity had great expectations from the talented young man but fate had other plans and he was killed in an accident.