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The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the legacy of Brandon Burlsworth, a former University of Arkansas football player who overcame countless obstacles to become an All-American offensive lineman. Tragically, Brandon’s life was cut short early, but his family carries on his legacy and dreams through their continued work with a new generation of character-building athletes.
Brandon’s Life and Legacy
Brandon Burlsworth’s story is about hard work, perseverance and triumph over adversity. He faced many challenges growing up in Harrison. His brother Marty recalls working with him as a little kid. He would tag along as the little brother and shag balls and help with the teams Marty was coaching. Anything I’d put in front of him, he’d work hard to do.
Brandon knew the rules applied whether he was family or not, so he worked hard. He was the kind of kid we call a “gym rat.” He threw in the evenings after dinner and found creative ways to play catch, even with the fence. “We would do everything together, but he worked hard because he knew he wasn’t getting special treatment.” He won all kinds of awards and recognition for the stats he was gaining, even as a city Little League player.
As Brandon grew, so did the apparent opportunity to move to football. Afraid to disappoint his brother, he slowly stepped into the sport through school. But Harrison was not on the radar of most collegiate programs. Due to his size and lack of athleticism, college recruiters often overlooked him. However, Brandon never gave up on his dream of playing football at the highest level.
Any offer he received was for a walk-on position, and it felt like if he was going to walk on somewhere, he might as well chase his dream of being a Razorback!
Razorback Career
Brandon earned a scholarship to the University of Arkansas through hard work and dedication. He quickly became a starter on the offensive line and was named an All-American in his senior year. Brandon was also a three-time Academic All-American known for his strong work ethic and leadership on and off the field. His dedication to his studies and commitment to excellence made him a role model for student-athletes nationwide.
In his senior year, Brandon received the ultimate recognition for his efforts when he was named an All-American. This prestigious award solidified his status as one of the top college football players in the nation. Brandon’s story inspired countless individuals, demonstrating that anything is possible with hard work, determination and a never-give-up attitude.
In the 1999 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts drafted Brandon in the third round. He was projected to be a starting guard for the Colts and was expected to impact the team immediately. Unfortunately, Brandon’s life was tragically cut short just 11 days after the draft when he was killed in a car accident.
However, his legacy lives on. His story inspires athletes and non-athletes alike, reminding them they can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams with hard work, perseverance and consistency.
Signature Look
Most people know Brandon by those signature dark-rimmed glasses, but did you know he didn’t always wear glasses? It wasn’t until college that he got curious about wearing glasses as an accessory. He was home from college and asked his brother if he could see how he looked with them on. He noticed that a friend at school had some glasses, and he thought they looked cool.
When he did, he could see things better, even with a prescription that wasn’t his. Brandon got his eyes checked and the right prescription, which helped him see things he didn’t know he was missing. Seeing defined leaves on a tree for the first time stuck with him and encouraged his desire to help others see with clearer vision.
The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation
The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation was established in 1999. To continue his plans and dreams once he entered the NFL, his family, spearheaded by his brother Marty, set out to accomplish many of the projects they discussed.
Give all you’ve got all the time!”
Much of Marty Burlsworth’s time is spent in schools and with athletes sharing the Burl’s Way, defined by a handful of character principles. While most of the conversation uses football as a metaphor, they typically ask, “What’s your passion? It doesn’t have to be football, but what do you love, and how can you apply these principles?”
- Giving 100%, all of the time.
- Giving all you’ve got every day.
- Doing the right thing always, even when no one is looking.
- “Seeing” opportunity to better yourself.
Foundation Projects
- Eyes of a Champion—The Eyes of a Champion program provides free eye exams and eyeglasses to uninsured or underinsured children in Arkansas and surrounding states, often identified by school nurses. Since its inception, the program has provided free eye exams and eyeglasses to over 10,000 children.
- Burl’s Kids – Burl’s Kids, celebrating 25 years, is a program for underprivileged children in Arkansas and Indiana. Each child is invited to watch a home game from the Burls Box. These children are bussed to Fayetteville and given a #77 jersey, a tour of campus, and a pair of those signature glasses. The hope is that children will be exposed to the opportunity to reach their full potential and maybe, for the first time, see that college could be part of their story.
These projects stem from direct conversations, brother-to-brother, and work that Brandon planned to start during the 1999 season. The Foundation is included in a handful of other programs, even though they don’t administer the project.
- Burlsworth Character Reward – a free program for football programs across the country. The program celebrates kids of character. For many schools, this is a moment in each awards program for students who embody grit and determination, much like Brandon, no matter their athletic abilities. Interested schools can reach out to start the process.
- Burlsworth Player of the Game: Each fall, a player from each team in the Arkansas State Football Championships is chosen to receive the Burlsworth Player Award.
- Burlsworth Scholars – Given through an endowment at the University of Arkansas, these awards honor academic overachievers and one walk-on player.
- Burlsworth Trophy – an award presented each year to an outstanding college athlete who started his career as a walk-on. Each week, the committee announces a walk-on player of the week for collegiate competition.
“Greater” the Movie
“Greater” is a 2016 American biographical film about Brandon’s story, primarily filmed in Northwest Arkansas. The film follows Brandon’s childhood, learning about building grit and determination through people speaking into his life intentionally. You see the early steps of a kid building mental toughness and the intangibles that made him successful in life.
While many people feel like they know Brandon’s story, the movie serves as a visual reminder of a life filled with character, the value of champions investing in the next generation, and the importance of remembering the people who encouraged you to be your best.
Brandon is remembered as a role model for student-athletes and a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance and faith. Many coaches use the movie as a perpetual opportunity to expand Brandon’s story to another generation.
How can you learn more about supporting the Burlsworth family and Foundation?
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Annual Legends Event
Direct Donations
Share and tell Brandon’s story and live with the core principles of the Burls Way!
All images in the story were provided by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation.
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