Meet Marty Burlsworth and his Team of Real Estate Professionals. Our parents divorced when Brandon was just two years old. The year is 1999 and Marty Burlsworth is awaiting the funeral of his 22-year-old brother, Brandon. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. Weve felt like weve been very involved and kept up to date on what was going on and were very happy with the outcome. Marty and Vickie both have recorded multiple interviews on podcasts across the nation. His Subaru clipped an incoming 18-wheeler and then collided head-on with a tractor-trailer in Alpena, Arkansas. The latest videos from KNWA FOX24. But this was my brother. Trophy honors most outstanding Walk-On for twelfth year . View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Arkansas Boone County Omaha Gass Cemetery George Leo Burlsworth [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. Marty Burlsworth knew it even as he struggled to understand the horrific ending. During Martys conversation with Searcy this metaphor is further developed; a pattern emerges that Marty cant appreciate without a higher perspective. 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. Im sure Josh Wheaton, the young apologist in Gods Not Dead, would know all the right things to say to Searcys character, but then Searcy wouldnt be permitted to make his case so eloquently in a movie like Gods Not Dead, if he were allowed to appear at all. Each Wednesday, he came back to take his mother, Barbara, to chapel. The present-day strand follows preparations for Brandons funeral and Martys internal struggle with doubt and nihilism, a struggle movingly realized by McDonough. Dang, Marty, what have you been feedin that boy?. Thats the dream. We had to have the funeral at the high school gym. 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 . The voices of faith, hope and trust or the voices of doubt, disbelief and despair?. Some of the tougher scenes, you know, thats a little different. He told the family, "We don't want to take Brandon's faith out of this movie.". A deep dedication to our nations youth is a high priority of the Burlsworth family. ", Trouble was, every time he asked "what input would the family have" in how the story was told, he got the same answer: "None.". And I remembered to do what other agents had advised me to do, I kept multiple lines open. 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. A deep dedication to our nations youth is a high priority of the Burlsworth family. We planned to move out to Indianapolis with him. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A shepherd during his younger brother's life, he would become a keeper of his legacy as well. Not good at all. Bob Edmonson is a lifelong native of Harrison. In 2007, she and her son Marty ventured out to open Burlsworth and Associates. Every week, Brandon made the drive home. Brandon was home. 2022 by BBF. 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. A shepherd during his younger brother's life, he would become a keeper of his legacy as well. Burlsworth was also Arkansas' first All-American player since 1993 and was also on the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll from 1995 to 1998. Every chance he got, Burlsworth went home to Harrison, a town of about 10,000 in the Ozarks, near the Missouri state line. Sign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription. Anything that wasnt right, wasnt real, wasnt what Brandon was about. 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. Mr. Severio sounds like a guy that Brandon Burlsworth would have been proud to have depict him in a movie, as a selfless, hard-working, humble, self-deprecating character. It seemed as if the whole town was there to support Brandon and who he was and what he meant to everybody. So you didnt know if that was going to happen but that wasnt really the main [concern]. And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. 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. Marty Burlsworth hasn't provided a bio yet. 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. Meet Marty Burlsworth and his Team of Real Estate Professionals! I didnt mean to dismiss Moms concerns, but I just figured there was some sort of reason or explanation. I kept gaming out who was left. Burlsworth and Associates. 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? It was the Razorbacks. Walk-on player from Harrison, Ark., considered a long shot to get real playing time. 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. The University of Arkansas prides itself on doing things the "Burls Way.". And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. View Marty Burlsworth's record in Harrison, AR including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. arkansas football. She received her Bachelors in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Price Range (last 24 months) $125K - $450K Areas Served Harrison Specializations Buyers Sellers Marty Burlsworth Burlsworth & Associates. 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. choose Christ at a young age and you will always be a winner in Christ's eyes; excelling at a sport is fine as . (The devoutly Catholic McDonough, who also executive produced, has called Marty Burlsworth his favorite role.). The Burlsworth family created the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in honor of Brandon who was tragically killed in a car accident in 1999. Out of nowhere, Brandon knocks him out of bounds, Marty said. The football fraternity had great expectations from the talented young man but fate had other plans and he was killed in an accident. You take care of it, you get things done. The story unfolds in two strands. I tried bringing it up to him again. I dont think I got there. It was just one of those things when its time, its time. 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. Only 30 of 175 dioceses ordained an average number of priests at or above replacement level over the five years from 2016 to 2021, according to the report. Marty Burlsworth, in the aftermath of Brandon's death, suffers a crisis of conscience that questions his . He spent as many days as he could in the weight room getting stronger. 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. Greater (2016) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb Share. And would you believe it, it was the Indianapolis Colts who took him. Brandon was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. (as Stephen Raynor-Endelman) (music by) Cinematography by Gabe Mayhan . We probably put 30,000 miles on my minivan each season. Burlsworth Character Award She started her career with Century 21 and then joined Jerry Jackson as he opened his office in 2001. 'Greater': Neal McDonough Gets to Be a Good Man of Faith (Not Just in So you just walk down this side of the stadium, O.K.? If it meant going over to Moms house to help him with homework, I wanted to be there. company, Get valuable lists emailed directly 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 . The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier in the wake of gaining first-group All-America respects as a fifth-year senior, was involved with a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer around 15 miles outside Harrison and was killed. [To] anyone whos struggling with their faith when something catastrophic happens, I guess the best thing I can say is- to me- thats somewhat normal. "We want Brandon's message out there. 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. Unassuming, devout and a little dense, he never drinks, never swears and never takes anything personally. It was my dream, too, and I sure worked hard at it. Film depicting ex-Arkansas Razorbacks star Brandon Burlsworth to - ESPN They can assist you with all your real estate needs. Steven D. Greydanus is the Registers film critic and creator of Decent Films. Give a Gift SubscriptionBless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register. He wasnt as tall or as heavy as D-I colleges wanted him to be. Neal McDonough (L) plays Marty Burlsworth in 'Greater' (Hammond Entertainment). Now, I was taking calls from the same stations about Brandons death.. Marty Leo Burlsworth from Harrison, Arkansas | VoterRecords.com Reindl made another unique promise that he kept. Director Yelena Popovic discusses why this film had to be made. We wont be there. He did not survive the accident and passed away on April 28, 1999. Greater is playing in limited release (find theaters). 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. 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 . I go straight to the sports and see if any scholarships were offered. He loved football, Marty said. So when Brandon got it in his mind that he was going to be a Razorback, I was all in. It had this outdoor patio that you could stand on and look down on the field. This story focuses on Burlsworth's ambition, work ethic, family relationships, and strong religious convictions; teamwork and courage are strong themes. We still dont really know what happened that afternoon. By using BiJog.com you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. He goes through something we all face when we experience tragedy and trials: Which voices do we listen to? In a movie like Gods Not Dead, disbelief is a straw-man villain that exists solely to be vanquished and humiliated by the righteous hero. Asked what hes doing, Brandon says, Nothing, because he really hadnt given it a second thought. And we were concerned that his faith would take a big backseatAnd we just werent up for that at all. He lauds Chris Severio for his measured portrayal of Brandon, and veteran actor Neal McDonough, he says, does a tremendous job as Marty Burlsworth. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or On top of that, Dad had trouble with drinking and wasnt really in our lives when Brandon was a little boy. Along with Brandons rise, Greater equally focuses on the loss experienced by Brandons family, especially his brother Marty, and the questions about Gods goodness that are stirred by the heartache and grief. That's not a boast. His screenplay grew out of the book Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story, by Jeff Kinley. 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? Starting the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation shortly after his death, even as the grief was overwhelming, just set those plans into motion sooner. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation is a symbol of Brandons work ethics and Christian values and provides support to children with limited opportunities. I was just so proud of him. Marty's current home is located at . Brandon Burlsworth was known as an American professional football player. Burlsworth and Associates Real Estate in Harrison, Arkansas. Realtors And that spring, the Burls boys found themselves in Indianapolis at the combine. And then he walked out and there it was: BURLSWORTH. We suddenly needed that gear, because we would be rooting for the Colts. Marty Burlsworth | Brandon Burlsworth Foundation | Public Appearances interested in booking Marty for your event? Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. I let out a little sigh of relief. 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. Vickie Burlsworth is the Executive Director of the Foundation that she and Marty founded honoring Brandon after his passing in 1999. And he justdominatedon the field didnt matter if he was on defense or offense. 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. Bob has been active in the community for many years from volunteer coaching youth sports activities such as soccer, baseball and basketball and also serving in a leadership capacity in community organizations and boards such as United Way, North Arkansas Soccer Association and the Bergman School Board. Earlier this year in an interview with Christian Examiner, Reindl said: The film is as much about Martys journey as it is about Brandons. 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. When the pandemic started, I guess we all needed to find hobbies to help us pass the time. For me, it was reading. The Burls Way: How a Denham Springs man got the lead in 'Greater "I wanted Brandon's story to be known." VIDEO: 'Becoming Greater' - Arkansas Online She has been married to Johnny 20+ years and they have a son, Haden and his wife, Tristen, and a daughter, Haley. After the draft, he spoke to me a lot about helping other kids in Harrison. Sure, bring him on up for a game, he said. Brandon Burlsworth's Story of Triumph Over Tragedy is 'Greater' 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. Marty is registered to vote in Boone County, Arkansas. But I didnt have that natural talent. While the film might not give Burlsworth enough credit for what talent he did have no one goes from walk-on to All-American without some ability he did always seem to have a knack for doing what seemed impossible. With The Aid Of Marty Burlsworth. By Carl Kozlowski. 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.