Marty Burlsworth knew it even as he struggled to understand the horrific ending. Especially after it was all over and, you know, that was bad times. 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. [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. He did not survive the accident and passed away on April 28, 1999. properties, Build a downloadable list 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. So we really did have a good comfort level with them plus the agreement with Brian and them having the movie made was that the family would have some say so if something wasnt just right as far as the script goes and things like that and theyve kept us in the loop all along. Neal McDonough plays his older brother, Marty, who took on a father figure role after their parents divorced. 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. You know, Brandon, you could think about entering the draft. We probably put 30,000 miles on my minivan each season. There were many times I know it was tough. You know, we established his foundation shortly thereafter [the accident]. In 2007, she and her son Marty ventured out to open Burlsworth and Associates. That was very very tough. We found 2 people in 2 states named Marty Burlsworth living in the US. The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference. Greater is currently playing in theaters and stars Neal McDonough, Christopher Severio, and Leslie Easterbrook. 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. Id do anything I could for him. Hed be very humbled that parents would want to bring their kids to see this movie., Copyright 1995 - Share. Had life turned out differently, Marty Burlsworth might be reflecting on his brother's pro football career during Super Bowl weekend. She has 3 sons, Marty, Grady and the late Brandon Burlsworth. What was your first thought when someone approached you about making Greater? He said he wanted to hold football camps and bring kids to his NFL games. Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. I can only hope I did as much as I could to help him. 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.". Marty Burlsworth, Chairman/CEO and founder of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, is a resident of Harrison, Arkansas. 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. Every chance he got, Burlsworth went home to Harrison, a town of about 10,000 in the Ozarks, near the Missouri state line. "I . They are active members of the Northside Church of Christ. A couple of weeks before Brandon left for school, one of the Arkansas coaches called me. Filming & Production It's "Greater." At the point when he showed up, he saw the rear of a white vehicle that he from the start thought was Brandon's. FAYETTEVILLE 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.. Burlsworth rouses 'big brother' actor. Order Bulk SubscriptionsGet a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization 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. While others, including Marty's mother, Barbara, have accepted the loss and put their faith in God, Marty can not do that as he does not understand why God would take away his brother on the cusp of his stardom in the NFL. But this was my brother. So you just walk down this side of the stadium, O.K.? Marty's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown; and religious views are listed as Christian. Theres no explanation for it. I opened the door to Moms house and she was in a state. But he had his priorities right. 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. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. I dont think I got there. Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. I didnt mean to dismiss Moms concerns, but I just figured there was some sort of reason or explanation. 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. David Hunt, the movies director, also assisted with the screenplay. 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. Marty speaks nationwide on developing character and overcoming adversity. Selfishly, I don't want Brandon to be forgotten. And I dont want to say [it means] youre angry at God. 2018 Burlsworth & Associates Real Estate in Harrison, AR One weekend when I was driving with Brandon to campus I think maybe it was his junior year a thought crossed my mind. The family respectfully declined. They are active members of the Northside Church of Christ in Harrison, Ar. 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. Mom and I picked him up at the airport when he came home. Not like my younger brother Brandon. Marty is registered to vote in Boone County, Arkansas. "We want Brandon's message out there. Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Harrison, Arkansas, United States. If its difficult to describe the love for a brother, its impossible to explain the loss of a brother. . It was just one of those things when its time, its time. There he is, 300 pounds, and he just runs down this linebacker. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. So you didnt know if that was going to happen but that wasnt really the main [concern]. Still, with each pick, even in the first round, you get more and more nervous. 1 Tennessee. We still dont really know what happened that afternoon. Then I turned on Netflix and watched an honest, humble, earnest movie about the man called "Greater.". Weve felt like weve been very involved and kept up to date on what was going on and were very happy with the outcome. 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. Became a two-time All-SEC selection and a first-team All-American as a senior in 1998. I mean it was for me. And I didnt want him to always be wondering what could have been. Hes not going down.. company, Get valuable lists emailed directly The drive would always take around an hour and a half but he never made it. 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. Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert are back to explain the stakes, place bets and analyze the most valuable players in the NBA Finals. Sure, bring him on up for a game, he said. Some of his teammates have since told me how red his face would be during practice, how hard he went, how he never gave up. Burlsworth was selected to be of the team captains by his junior season in 1997 for the University of Arkansas. The National Junior Auxiliary awarded her Volunteer of the Year, and the Governor appointed her to the State Board of Dispensing Opticians. After the season, over the holidays, we got a call. Boy, did he have the size and did he have the skills. But this was on a different level. This was the dream. On the way there, Burlsworth died an unthinkable death that shook the entire state. 131 | NO. 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. Marty Leo Burlsworth (age 62) is listed at 3775 Savannah Drive Harrison, Ar 72601 and is affiliated with the Optional Party. I was high as a kite. Marty Burlsworth Discusses the Upcoming 2021 Brandon Pig Trail Nation / Jun 1, 2021 / 04:30 PM CDT. A deep dedication to our nations youth is a high priority of the Burlsworth family. Most important to Marty and the Burlsworth family: They kept us in the loop.. 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. It would take 11 years - with Reindl financing the independent production himself when other investors dried up - but in 2016, "Greater" hit the theaters. I think Brandon would be proud of the work were doing in his name. So I think its normal. And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. Brandon belonged on that field, and he knew it. 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. http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Remembering-Brandon-Burlsworth-/01475edd-989c-4a56-b3b0-ec6c138bcf1e, https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/entertainment/2016/august/brandon-burlsworths-story-of-triumph-over-tragedy-is-greater. His high school coaches couldnt believe his size when he came back for his junior season. 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. 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. As indicated by the police report, Burlsworth's vehicle floated somewhat over the middle line on U.S. 412, cut the front bumper of a tractor-trailer, and afterward, while he was probably attempting to recover control, crossed the inside line again and hit another tractor-trailer. Holy Communion From the Chalice Reintroduced in the UK: What About the US? He may be gone, but I still want to do whatever I can to keep his dreams going, to keep his legacy going. And Ill get a photo of you in your uniform. Caveat Spectator: Football roughness; some language; some thematic elements including alcoholism and religious questioning. Earlier this year in an interview with Christian Examiner, Reindl said: The film is as much about Martys journey as it is about Brandons. Brandon Burlsworth was born on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. It just takes some time. Harrison, Arkansas, is about as small town as it gets. 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. Trust. This has all been done, and sometimes done better, but the formula is sturdy, and Severio, in his first role, delivers well enough. So when he was two hours late that evening, Mom started to get worried. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Itll be real cool.. But almost every boy growing up in the state wants to be a Razorback. Two buses of Razorbacks players arrived. 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. Catholic actor Neal McDonough costars in a Rudy-like faith-based inspirational sports biopic that dares to explore doubt as well as belief. I was just so proud of him. or school. In the end, Brandon got invited to be a walk-on. COINCIDENCES. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . 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. An expression that implied do it the correct way, in any event, when nobody is looking. In the award's twelfth year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas Walk . Where it doesnt have such a bad ending? 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. Hed call me or Id call him and we would talk about what practice was like that day. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or 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. A shepherd during his younger brother's life, he would become a keeper of his legacy as well. I tried bringing it up to him again. The film promotes Burlsworth as the greatest walk-on in the history of college football and there is an award the Brandon Burlsworth Trophy, which Marty oversees that is given annually to college footballs best player who began his career as a walk-on. We drove it to death. 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 Didn't buy it or rent it or watch it on DVD. 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. This one painful scene is wiser than all the movies the Fireproof / Courageous people have made (including their football movie, Facing the Giants). arkansas football. Anything that wasnt right, wasnt real, wasnt what Brandon was about. I wanted everything for Brandon, and within a few moments, it had all been taken away. Brandon was also the first Arkansas football player to complete his Masters Degree before playing his final college football game. 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. Brandon was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. Every week, Brandon made the drive home. It was disappointing, but Brandon wanted to go to Arkansas more than anything and, well, he didnt want any regrets. We werent proactive at all in [making a movie]. Walk-on player from Harrison, Ark., considered a long shot to get real playing time. But I remember going back to churchclose after the accident and after the death had settled a little bit. And then he walked out and there it was: BURLSWORTH. 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. But I didnt have that natural talent. "I wanted Brandon's story to be known. (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. Instead, Marty is looking forward to next season, when the story of Brandon Burlsworth's astonishing rise to National Football League draftee will reach movie screens nationwide. Not good at all. 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. We may still get one. 77), who was killed in a car accident days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1999. 2022 by BBF. He was, with various modifiers, Clark Kent. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. In November 1998, the Razorbacks were 8-0, ranked 10th in the country, and playing at No. Hed be all over the line, right off the snap. Trophy honors most outstanding Walk-On for twelfth year . barbaraann@burlsworth.com. Man, you might get to play at the next level., Ah, I dont know, I just gotta focus on this season.. Now, more than ever, with the success of GREATER, he enjoys meeting the fans of his brother Brandon and encouraging others to. Harrison, Arkansas. He died instantly. Greater, though, looks to something more than this: something greater than any loss or tragedy. Brandon knew what it was like to be doubted, to be told you werent good enough. Greater reflects that relentless energy we need in order to be the best people we can and, at times, to push further than anyone suspects we can go. But me and friends that were close to me were like This is like a movie. 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.