Because we dont want to be there- that close- to some scenes thatll be tough to watch even being filmed. print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the Greater is a very emotional movie and it deals with figuring out your faith in times of grief and loss. In the award's twelfth year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas Walk . The National Junior Auxiliary awarded her Volunteer of the Year, and the Governor appointed her to the State Board of Dispensing Opticians. 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. 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. Marty Burlsworth hasn't provided a bio yet. That's what Brandon did. Had life turned out differently, Marty Burlsworth might be reflecting on his brother's pro football career during Super Bowl weekend. Marty is a resident of 3775 Savannah Drv, Harrison, AR 72601-9851. Director Yelena Popovic discusses why this film had to be made. Those were offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworths trademark, and they were prominent even behind the facemask of his Arkansas Razorbacks helmet. On Aug. 26, the movie about his life, Greater, opens nationwide. Background Report. So you just walk down this side of the stadium, O.K.? And we were concerned that his faith would take a big backseatAnd we just werent up for that at all. It was 2005, and the Burlsworth family . Less than two weeks after he was chosen in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon was driving home to go to church with his mother. One, told in flashback, is a familiar, uplifting Rudy-like arc of an unpromising underdog who makes good despite enormous obstacles. 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? 2023 Steven D. Greydanus is the Registers film critic and creator of Decent Films. Brian Reindl, writer and producer of "Greater," said he loved the opportunity to tell such an incredible story in his first-ever production. On the way there, Burlsworth died an unthinkable death that shook the entire state. Or Drew Carey, the comedian. Brandon also earned his masters degree at Arkansas before his playing career was done the first Razorback to do so. He believes by sheer word of mouth, the movie will develop a dedicated following. In the making of [the movie], sometimes we were able to be on set some days they didnt want us there and we didnt want to be there. His jersey #77 was retired at the University of Arkansas as a gesture of honoring his memory. Catholic actor Neal McDonough costars in a Rudy-like faith-based inspirational sports biopic that dares to explore doubt as well as belief. He was the kind of guy that we would have plugged in our offensive line for 10-plus years, said then-Colts general manager Bill Polian. So I did whatever I could to be there for Brandon. The University of Arkansas awarded Marty the prestigious Honorary Alumni Award for his work with underprivileged children. Catholic Church. Always why. He was born on 31-08-1986. All-time overachiever Brandon Burlsworth had his life tragically cut short at the age of 22, but his impact lives on 17 years later . French Monastery Survives War and Famine After 885 Years, the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan, and More Great Links! And he justdominatedon the field didnt matter if he was on defense or offense. When the pandemic started, I guess we all needed to find hobbies to help us pass the time. For me, it was reading. Marty Burlsworth, Chairman/CEO and founder of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, is a resident of Harrison, Arkansas. She then pursued her graduate degree at the University of Louisville where she interned for the athletic department. Burlsworth was selected to be of the team captains by his junior season in 1997 for the University of Arkansas. 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. Harrison, Arkansas, is set as small town as it receives. Brandon Burlsworth was known as an American professional football player. I let out a little sigh of relief. But I knew we still needed a scholarship. Lacking the football scholarship he absurdly hoped for, Brandon turns down full rides elsewhere to attend Arkansas. Marty and Vickie have three sons, two daughters in law, an adorable granddaughter Blake, and a precious grandson, Carter. Marty Burlsworth and his agents have been and will continue to be trusted names in the real estate market. Vickie L Burlsworth is also associated with this address. As they chat, Searcy whittles a face on a block of wood, a symbolic quirk with a meaning made nearly explicit in a startling line. 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. Burlsworth was too small (260 pounds) when he finished high school. 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. Neal McDonough (L) plays Marty Burlsworth in 'Greater' (Hammond Entertainment). I dont even think he played one game. [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. 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. During Martys conversation with Searcy this metaphor is further developed; a pattern emerges that Marty cant appreciate without a higher perspective. She has been married to Johnny 20+ years and they have a son, Haden and his wife, Tristen, and a daughter, Haley. I kept track of how many might be left for Brandon.O.K., they gave one to that boy, thats 12 so far. you, Subscribe to The Daily Brandon isnt a very interesting character, but hes a likable one. Teens and up. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Arkansas Boone County Omaha Gass Cemetery George Leo Burlsworth Black horn-rimmed glasses. "I know Brandon would be super proud of that," Marty said . Or Kurt Rambis, the funny-looking center for the Los Angeles Lakers. 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. Nick Searcy plays an unnamed character who chats with Marty about the apparent absurdity of existence, and their discussion is a bold and unusual move, even a genre-bending move. 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. Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. We planned to move out to Indianapolis with him. Even when the coach is impressed with Brandons dedication, he isnt exactly nurturing: I cant think of another movie in which someone compares the hero to horse manure and its meant to be encouraging. 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 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. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or So I started calling coaches and seeing where he could play. On top of that, Dad had trouble with drinking and wasnt really in our lives when Brandon was a little boy. Burlsworth Trophy Announces Nominees. 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.. The family respectfully declined. Small sins lead to big sins, and big sins bring about a terrible spiritual darkness. She enjoys singing on the worship team at church, riding motorcycles with her husband, photography, and scrapbooking. 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. His faith, his family and his football, in that order. SubscribeStart your Register subscription today. I never used to worry before Brandon died. At present, through the Burls Kids program, the foundation works towards providing underprivileged youths a chance to visit Razorback and Colts football games. Brandon was also the first Arkansas football player to complete his Masters Degree before playing his final college football game. Dramatic backlighting and silhouettes create a sense of foreboding and uncertainty, resonating with the themes of tragedy and doubt. 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. We watched the game from this conference room at the top of the stadium. 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. Burlsworth, 22, was a third-round draft choice (63rd overall) of the Indianapolis Colts just two weeks ago and he and his brother and agent, Marty Burlsworth, were negotiating a contract. properties, Build a downloadable list Over the next two years he reformed his body to become more muscular and went back to a 300lb physique. The main [concern] was that it was going to go somewhere that really never happened. 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.