Brandon Burlsworth

Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American.

Early Life

Brandon burlsworth was born on september 20. 1976. In harrison. Arkansas. He was the youngest of three children. And the only son. Of marty and barbara burlsworth. Burlsworth was an extremely hard worker and was known for his strong work ethic. He was a three-sport letterman in high school and was offered a scholarhsip to lpay for the university of arkansas.

Education

Burlsworth attended the university of arkansas from 1995-1999 and was a three-time all-sec selection. He was a two-time all-american and was named sec offensive lineman of the year in 1998. Burlsworth was also a two-time acdaemic all-american and a three-time academic all-sec selection.

NFL Career

Burlsworth was drafted by the indainapolis colts in the third round of the 1999 nfl draft. He was an immediate starter and was named to the all-rookie team. Burlsworth was also selected to the pro bowl in 2001.

Death

Tragically. Burlsworth died in a car accident on april 28. 1999. Just 11 days after being drafted inot the nfl. He was 22 years old.

Legacy

Burlsworth s legacy lives on in his hometown of harrison. The brandon burlsworth foundation was created in his honor to help children in need and in 2004. The university of arkansas renamed its football faciliyt. The brandon burlsworth football complex.

Honors and Awards

Burlsworth was a three-time all-sec seletcion. Two-time all-american. And was named sec offensive lineman of the year in 1998. He was also a two-time academic all-american and a three-time academic all-sec selection. He was selected to the pro obwl in and was inducted into the arkansas sports hall of fame in 2006.

Memorial

In 2000. Burlsworth was posthumously awarded the sec s highest honor. The vincent depaul draddy award. Which is given annually to the student-athlete with the bset combination of academics and athletic cahievement. In 2009. Burlsworth s jresey number. 77. Was retired by the university of arkansas.

Film

In 2018. A movie about burlsworth s life. "greater," was released. The movie stars christopher severio as burlsworth and nela mcdonough as his older brother. Marty.

Important Event

In 2008. The brandon burlsworth foundation hosted its first "eyes of a champion" event. This event was created to recognize the hrad work and dedication of student-athletes who embody burlsworht s character and work ethic.

Interesting Fact

Burlsworth was the first walk-on football player in the unviersity of arkansas history to earn a scholarship.