Greater uses Marty to critique misguided or deficient forms of faith prior to Brandons death. It was just one of those things when its time, its time. I dont even think he played one game. Hed call me or Id call him and we would talk about what practice was like that day. His age is 36. Marty Burlsworth, Chairman/CEO and founder of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, is a resident of Harrison, Arkansas. He called to check in a couple of times. Give a Gift SubscriptionBless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register. Sign-up for E-NewsletterGet Register Updates sent daily or weeklyto your inbox. 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. There are few actors in Hollywood brave enough to wear their Catholic faith on . [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. We drove it to death. His No. I had about 212,000 miles on it by the time I got rid of it. It was just something that we thought of, you know. McDonough plays Marty, Brandon's big brother and father figure in the film, and he . At present, through the Burls Kids program, the foundation works towards providing underprivileged youths a chance to visit Razorback and Colts football games. MARTY BURLSWORTH CONTRIBUTOR Harrison, Arkansas, is about as small town as it gets. In her free time she enjoys hiking, watching sports, riding motorcycles with her husband and catching up with friends. I go straight to the sports and see if any scholarships were offered. 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. 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 . Reindl made another unique promise that he kept. Brandon was the kind of guy you win with.. 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. Marty Leo Burlsworth's Arkansas Voter Registration. Arkansas doesnt have a pro football team I dont even know if a pro team could survive here. 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. 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. 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. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. There are about 11,000 people in town and one unspoken rule: If its Friday night, youre going to the Harrison High football game. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. They are active members of the Northside Church of Christ. Hed be very humbled that parents would want to bring their kids to see this movie., Copyright 1995 -
And then he walked out and there it was: BURLSWORTH. Jessica Mendoza's greatest pride is her background. There were many times I know it was tough. She then pursued her graduate degree at the University of Louisville where she interned for the athletic department. When we got back home to Harrison, the day of the draft was just filled with anxiety. choose Christ at a young age and you will always be a winner in Christ's eyes; excelling at a sport is fine as . I think it was in June [1999] I think [thats] kinda when that started. I opened the door to Moms house and she was in a state. Marty Burlsworth Discusses the Upcoming 2021 Brandon Pig Trail Nation / Jun 1, 2021 / 04:30 PM CDT. The odds were against him and nobody was looking his way. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Currently you are able to watch "Greater" streaming on fuboTV, Hoopla, DIRECTV or for free with ads on Peacock, Peacock Premium, The Roku Channel, VUDU Free, Tubi TV, Redbox, Crackle, Pluto TV, Freevee. He had intended to help under advantaged children and the Burlsworth family settled the establishment that in his honor. or school. In 1999, he completed an MBA and was the first Razorback football player to complete a master's degree. Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert are back to explain the stakes, place bets and analyze the most valuable players in the NBA Finals. Marty speaks nationwide on developing character and overcoming adversity. Sign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription. Our parents divorced when Brandon was just two years old. Now, more than ever, with the success of GREATER, he enjoys meeting the fans of his brother Brandon and encouraging others to Do it the Burls Way. 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. Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. He died instantly. Still, with each pick, even in the first round, you get more and more nervous. Actor Chris Severio (left), who plays Brandon Burlsworth in the movie "Greater, " autographs Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, a movie poster for Mark Marinoni, 16, of . But I knew we still needed a scholarship. So when Brandon got it in his mind that he was going to be a Razorback, I was all in. The Olympic Gold Medalist shines light on her Hispanic heritage fueling her career. Eleven days later he passed on attending a Razorback ring presentation ceremony to drive to his hometown to take his mom to church. He didnt take one summer off the entire time he was at Arkansas. 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 A shepherd during his younger brother's life, he would become a keeper of his legacy as well. Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. 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. You know, we established his foundation shortly thereafter [the accident]. But as Marty Burlsworth, Brandons 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. And then apparently that thought process was also out there in California we did hear from some that approached us but one thing I wasnt 100 percent sure [of] was the commitment level over there which was why when Reindls wife said [when] he sets his mind to it, he gets it done, you know, Ive always heard that in Hollywood [scripts] can sit on the shelf forever. 166 | Friday, August 19, 2016, Arkansas All-American Walk-On Burlsworth Now the Subject of Film, You have entered an invalid email address, Research millions of people and
David Hunt, the movies director, also assisted with the screenplay. "It was a passion project for everyone who was involved," actor Neal McDonough told CBN News. Martys struggle is not entirely internal. And for the next three years, every Friday at 5:30 p.m., Id close up the photography studio I owned in Harrison, pick up my mom, and my wife and kids, and drive to Brandons football games. Not early or easily when it came to football, but eventually and powerfully. 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. The foundation, established in 1999, has several programs that serve children in Arkansas and around the country. by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved, VOL. He initially joined Arkansas Razorbacks as a walk-on but later he was handed an athletes scholarship and eventually became an all-American. Marty Burlsworth, Brandon's brother, with Neal McDonough, who portrayed Marty in Greater. Hes always taking a knee, and he crosses himself (a curious gesture, since from his funeral his family is clearly not Catholic). Unassuming, devout and a little dense, he never drinks, never swears and never takes anything personally. And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. In the movie Im learning from Brandon and I think weve all learned from Brandon but I was right there by his side all the way, you know, backing him and supporting him as far as what he was doing in school and football and the challenges. Lacking the football scholarship he absurdly hoped for, Brandon turns down full rides elsewhere to attend Arkansas. Not as devout as his brother, Marty turns desperately to faith in a moment of crisis when he wants a miracle. When he reached his junior season in 1997, he was selected as one of the captains of the team and in the next two years, he received All-SEC honors. Company Credits After his death, the Arkansas Razorbacks retired his jersey in his honor and encased his locker in glass for public display. Harrison, Arkansas. They are active members of the Northside Church of Christ in Harrison, Ar. It always seemed like a movie to me. Marty's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown; and religious views are listed as Christian. The University of Arkansas prides itself on doing things the "Burls Way.". Brandon, the officer told us, had collided head-on with a semi. And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. 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. But before all that, Brandon made one last trip to Fayetteville to visit with his Razorbacks teammates. Brandon was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. And I dont want to say [it means] youre angry at God. Its unreal. But, you know, how would you make it where it wasnt basically depressing. 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? Renew or manage your subscription here. Well if you had taken God out of it, it [wouldve] been fiction. Became a two-time All-SEC selection and a first-team All-American as a senior in 1998. Brandon also earned his masters degree at Arkansas before his playing career was done the first Razorback to do so. She has been married to Johnny 20+ years and they have a son, Haden and his wife, Tristen, and a daughter, Haley. Even after away games, when the Razorbacks returned to Fayetteville late at 2018 Burlsworth & Associates Real Estate in Harrison, AR I was 16 years older than Brandon, so I was already out of the house, married and raising my own boys by the time he was of any age. Hed tell me what it was like but hed never say it was really hard and Im not sure I can do this. It would take 11 years - with Reindl financing the independent production himself when other investors dried up - but in 2016, "Greater" hit the theaters. We understand that your home is important to you and we strive to walk you through the steps to get the most for your dollar. 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. But as good as he was, Brandon was also a late bloomer he was only 17 his senior year and he was still a little undersized for college ball. News. Chris Severio plays Burlsworth (No. Greater is currently playing in theaters and stars Neal McDonough, Christopher Severio, and Leslie Easterbrook. He just kicked it in, No, this is not happening.. And boy, was he soaking it in. 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. I can only hope I did as much as I could to help him. He and his wife Tresia have four children, Michael, Jordan, Brandon and Samantha. We wont be there. View Marty Burlsworth's record in Harrison, AR including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Greater, a film about Arkansas offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth, opens Aug. 26. Background Report. He is married to Vickie who serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation. Born In: Harrison, Arkansas, United States, siblings: Grady Burlsworth, Marty Burlsworth, place of death: Alpena, Arkansas, United States.