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Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 – April 28, 1999) was an American football player who was an offensive lineman of the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American. American football career Burlsworth graduated in 1994 from Harrison High School, where he was an All-State selection and volunteer walk-on football player to the University of Arkansas, despite having scholarship offers from smaller universities. After he redshirted his first year (1994), he transformed his pudgy 300 lb (140 kg) frame into a svelte 260 lb (120 kg), and, over the next two years, built himself back up to a muscular 300 lb (140 kg) offensive guard. By his sophomore season in 1996, he had earned a scholarship and a starting position at right guard on the offensive line. Before his junior season in 1997, he was selected to be one of the team captains. Burlsworth's efforts earned him first-team All-SEC honors in 1997 and 1998, and he was selected for the 1998 College Football All-America Team. He was Arkansas's first All-American player since 1993 and their first player selected to a first-team squad since 1989. He was also named to the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll every year from 1995–1998. Burlsworth played on two SEC Western Division championship Razorback football teams (1995, 1998). Burlsworth graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in business administration. The following year, he completed an MBA. He was the first Razorback football player to complete a master's degree before playing in his final game, the 1999 Citrus Bowl. After his career with the Razorbacks, Burlsworth was invited to the NFL combine. At the combine, Burlsworth topped all linemen with a 4.88 40-yard dash. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times, weighed 308 pounds, and measured slightly below 6 feet 4 inches. During the 1999 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Burlsworth with the 63rd pick in the third round. After participating in a Colts post draft mini-camp, he impressed the team's then-offensive line coach Howard Mudd and was projected to be a starter for the Colts' 1999 season. Shortly after his death, Burlsworth's jersey number, 77, was permanently retired in a ceremony at Arkansas's first home game of the 1999 season. It is only the second number ever retired (the other is number 12, retired in honor of Clyde Scott) by the University of Arkansas. Burlsworth's locker in the Razorback locker room is encased in glass, preserved for future players and fans in his honor. Burlsworth was elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, and the University of Arkansas Letterman's Association Hall of Honor in 2004. In 2013, Bleacher Report named Burlsworth the #1 Greatest Walk-On player of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Era. Death Eleven days after being drafted, Burlsworth was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on April 28, 1999, on his way back to his hometown of Harrison after a workout in Fayetteville. Burlsworth's vehicle clipped an oncoming 18-wheeler, swerved back into his lane, and then hit another tractor trailer head on. The stretch around Carrollton in which the crash occurred was not particularly rugged. A state police report said that, "for unknown reasons," Burlsworth's car drove left of the center line and hit the left front fender of a tractor trailer. After returning to its lane briefly, the car crossed the center line again and hit a second tractor trailer. Burlsworth was declared dead at the scene. Tributes The Burlsworth Trophy is named after Brandon and was first awarded in 2010. This trophy is presented each year to college football's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. Houston Nutt, Arkansas Razorback head football coach from 1998 through 2007, started the saying, "Do it the Burls Way", which means do it the right way even when no one is looking. This is the motto of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation. Brandon's jersey #77 is retired at the University of Arkansas. It is the second retired football jersey in school history. His locker is enclosed in a glass case in the Razorback locker room. The Harrison Youth Center in Harrison, Arkansas, was renamed the Brandon Burlsworth Youth Center in May 1999. The Indianapolis Colts wore his initials, BB, on their helmets for the 1999 season. The Indianapolis Colts honored him by giving each family member and the University of Arkansas Athletic Director a $5,000 (USD) check at halftime of the first Colts game after Brandon died in 1999. In 2016, a biographical sports film was made about Burlsworth entitled Greater. Brandon Burlsworth Foundation After his death, family and friends established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in honor of his work ethic and Christian values. The Christian organization's mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities. The foundation's logo prominently features Burlsworth's signature black-framed glasses. The foundation makes its money via donations and the sale of Burlsworth merchandise. On the foundation's website, one can choose from books and movies about Brandon to shirts and hats to raise money for their cause. Burls Kids Today, through the "Burls Kids" program, the Burlsworth Foundation provides underprivileged youths with a chance to attend Razorback and Colts football games. Since 2000, the Foundation has bought 30 tickets to each Arkansas Razorbacks home football game. The tickets are distributed through Razorback Clubs across the state. The children are given an official "Burls Kid" T-shirt and replica glasses similar to those Brandon wore on the field. Eyes of a Champion In 2007, the "Eyes of a Champion" program was started. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in partnership with Walmart/Sam's Optical Department and independent optometrists across Arkansas, provides eye care to thousands of pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade students. Primarily, these students come from working families who cannot afford extras like eye care and do not qualify for state funded programs. Applications must be submitted by school nurses or counselors and are available in English, French, and Spanish. Football Camps The Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps are for children going into third grade through ninth grade. They are held once each summer at F.S. Garrison Stadium in Harrison, Arkansas, and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Children are given a chance to learn from former Razorbacks. Past participants include Anthony Lucas, Clint Stoerner, Joe Dean Davenport, Madre Hill, Grant Garrett, Russ Brown, Barry Lunney Jr., Chad Abernathy, Jeremiah Washburn, Michael Smith, Lucas Miller, and others. The campers learn football skills but, more importantly, they are taught throughout the day about character, attitude, morals, priorities, and the desire to do it "The Burls Way". Schola.... Discover the Jeff Kinley popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Jeff Kinley books.