Gala nets $400,000 in late Razorback’s honor
There was so much praise going around the stage that it was at times hard to ascertain which speaker was the honoree.
The mutual admiration society convened Tuesday at the Statehouse Convention Center to honor Stephens Inc. Chief Operating Officer and Director Curt Bradbury at the eighth annual Legends Dinner, a fundraiser for the Harrison-based Brandon Burlsworth Foundation. The take was some $400,000.
The remarks wandered off course a bit, but the focus remained on the cause, which was raising money for students and athletes, particularly walk-on football players and those with sight impairments. The foundation’s namesake was the only Razorback to begin his collegiate football career as a walk-on and end as an All-American with his master’s degree. Burlsworth was killed in a car wreck in 1999, just 11 days after signing with the Indianapolis Colts.
“This is about Brandon and the examples he set in his life,” Bradbury said. “It’s about all these accomplished men up here. It’s about you. It’s about the lives you’ve led as human beings, trying to do your best and do good.”
Brandon’s brother and sister-in-law, Marty and Vickie Burlsworth, have worked tirelessly to keep Brandon’s memory at the forefront through various camps and programs that help kids and young adults.
Mack McLarty was the ever-gracious master of ceremonies. Speakers on Bradbury’s behalf were Stephens Inc. Chairman Warren Stephens, basketball great Darrell Walker and Arkansas drug director Kirk Lane. Bradbury was presented the Burlsworth Legend trophy by Charlene Reed, wife of the late Stanley Reed. He and another Razorback and NFL legend, Jim Lindsey, were two of the foundation’s founding board members. — Story and photos by
Cyd King