The inspiring story of Brandon Burlsworth, a walk-on turned All-SEC

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:46 p.m. ET

foxsports

The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. He walked on at Arkansas in 1994 after having zero FBS scholarship offers and eventually became team captain and a two-time All-SEC pick.

After college he became a third-round pick of the Colts. However, he was killed in an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. His story is the subject of movie that debuts Friday called “Greater.”

Recently, I did a Q&A with his older brother Marty, who was instrumental in Brandon’s life.

Q: I remember hearing how as a high school sophomore that Brandon didn’t look anything like a future SEC player. For people unfamiliar with Brandon’s story, walk us through his development from your perspective.

Marty Burlsworth: Brandon had entered high school early, so he graduated at 17 years old and was still growing. When he got to Arkansas as a walk-on, he knew that he had to put everything he had into it and more. Brandon was very undersized as a freshman and sophomore, a skinny kid. He made himself into a player by just working harder than everyone else. During the summer after his sophomore year, he had a big growth spurt, enough where he was able to get playing time on the varsity. In his junior year, he split time with a senior on the offensive line for half the season and then became the full-time starter. He continued to grow and was a good 6-foot-2, 260 pounds in his senior season. During his junior and senior years, his work ethic and focus really kicked in. It was all inner-him -- all inner-drive.

Q: What was the relationship like between your brother and folks from Arkansas?

MB: Brandon was revered pretty quickly for the obstacles that he overcame. The fans respected him for starting out as a walk-on, working hard to become a three-year starter and finishing his career as an All-American. Playing on the offensive line is not a "glamour" position, but he was still one of the most popular players on the team. I know his teammates respected him for the work he put in and his incredible dedication. He had absolutely no quit in him.

Q: When did you realize Brandon’s story was going to be something that could resonate with people far beyond just Razorback fans?

MB: Shortly after the accident, we got a call from a national magazine. They came to town to interview everyone and get photographs for the magazine. The magazine did an extensive eight-page piece on him. After that ran, we began getting calls from Los Angeles about doing a movie. It became clear that this was a story that would resonate far beyond the state boundaries. Brandon was a guy who could have been from anywhere. He is a great story about a guy who overcame huge obstacles through hard work, determination and perseverance.

Q: Brandon’s life seemed to have incredible highs and lows. With the tragic way he died, how did you make sense of it all?

MB: After Brandon’s death, it was rough at first and I certainly struggled. I never lost my faith and that first night, after everyone had gone home, I grabbed my wife and my mom’s hand and we prayed. What else could I do? I struggled with the same things I think everybody does. Why did he have to die when he had everything to live for? He wanted to help underprivileged kids with his NFL money. He wanted to buy mom a nice house. He had worked so hard and everything was in line to make his dreams come true. I’ll never understand, but I know that thousands of kids have been helped through Brandon’s foundation and so many great things have come from our tragedy. We don’t know why, but we do know that we will see him again.

Q: How important for you was it that this movie get made?

MB: After we started receiving calls from Hollywood producers, we knew that if the story were told, we wanted it to be told in the most accurate way possible, understanding that it’s difficult to squeeze 15 years into two hours. The other producers couldn’t guarantee just how accurate the depiction would be. When (“Greater” producer and co-screenwriter) Brian Reindl came to us, we instantly felt a comfort level with him and his desire to tell Brandon’s story.

Q: What was your involvement with the movie process from the beginning until now?

MB: Our agreement was that the family could object if we felt something was not portrayed in the right manner. We were involved from start to finish in a sort of advisory role. We reviewed several different scripts over the years, and we also reviewed any revisions that were made of significance. We certainly didn’t write the script, but we felt our opinions were always welcome. We are very happy with the way it turned out. My mom says that Brandon’s message comes through. That says it all.

Q: What message do you want fans to take from this movie?

MB: We want them to know that bad things can and will happen. We don’t have to understand it -- BUT we do have the choice of how we react to it. Our family chose to turn our grief into something that would make a difference and honor Brandon for the things he felt so strongly about. This is a movie not just for football fans but for everyone. There is a much deeper message here. This is an inspirational film, and I believe it’s a film you will want to see over and over again.