Knowledge Seeker
  • Home
  • Articles

Brandon Burlsworth

9/8/2019

 
Brandon Burlsworth absolutely loved playing football while growing up in Harrison, Arkansas. He was much bigger than the other kids but he just didn't have many skills. His biggest problem being that he was too slow so when he played on the offensive line, smaller players from the opposing team could easily get around him.

In his senior year of high school, he had reached 6'3" tall and was over 300 pounds; unfortunately not much of it muscle. He wanted so badly to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks but he only received two scholarships from Division II schools. This didn't deter him and he tried out as  "walk-on," at the school. The coaches (Danny Ford was head coach at the time in 1995), loved how big he was but they didn't think he could make it. But, because of Brandon's passion for the game plus his positive influence on the other players, they decided to focus on his weight-lifting to give him some muscle mass and they worked on his speed. It paid off and he made the team.

Then he began excelling in a huge way and made the ALL SEC TEAM, his sophomore year and then the great news came, he earned a full football scholarship. In his senior year he took part in the NFL's combine which evaluates the athleticism of potential drafts. Brandon at around 300 pounds of mostly muscle at this point, ran an amazing 4.88 seconds in a 40-yard dash; this is way better than most linemen anywhere.

While at home watching the draft, he got a phone call from the Indianapolis Colts to come play for them. The house filled with friends and family erupted. They couldn't believe that this kid who didn't have any team truly believing in him, became a superstar in college and was now going to play in the NFL.

While on break from the Colts during his rookie season, Brandon was driving his truck on his way to pick up his mom for church, when his vehicle crossed the center line and he was killed by a semi-truck. He was 22 years-old at the time.

Every year his comeback story is told at a ceremony honoring the best walk-on player in the country. This extraordinary award is called: "The Burlsworth Trophy." Last year's winner was the outstanding wide receiver from Clemson, Hunter Renfrow, who was drafted by the Raiders.

​Brandon was an awesome young man and I'm so glad he'll always be remembered for his work ethic, passion for the game, positive impact on his teammates, and his never-give-up attitude. He is an inspiration.      

Comments are closed.

    Author: John Mann

    Picture

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly