Burlsworth recognition held at Gravette’s Lion Field
GRAVETTE — Several Lion fans arrived early for Friday night’s football game to witness the Brandon Burlsworth recognition held prior to the kickoff of the contest with the Lincoln Wolves. A ribbon cutting was held to recognize that scenes from the movie, “Greater,” were filmed at Lion Stadium.
Plaques have been placed on the side of the concession stand at the stadium telling about Burlsworth’s life, displaying a poster from the movie and listing Gravette football players who have won the Burlsworth Character Award.
Brandon Burlsworth was a former Razorback football player who became an All-American. After being told he wasn’t good enough to play Division 1 football, he took a risk, walked on in 1994, and became one of the most respected players in Razorback history. The walk-on player, from Harrison, distinguished himself both on the field and off. He died in a car crash just 11 days after being drafted in 1999 by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the NFL draft. The 2016 biographical sports film, “Greater,” recounted his accomplishments.
Burlsworth not only earned a scholarship; he became team captain, AllSEC in 1997-98, First Team All-American in 1998, the first All-American from the University of Arkansas in a decade. He not only excelled on the football field but also in academics. He was also on the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll in 19951998 and was the first U of A football player to earn his master’s degree before playing his last game.
The U of A has created an endowment in Burlsworth’s name. Eighteen $5,000 academic scholarships and one $10,000 walk-on athletic scholarship are awarded to University upperclassmen who show the qualities Brandon represented. In 2010 the Burlsworth Trophy was created and is awarded to the most outstanding Division I football player who began his career as a walk-on.
The Burlsworth Character Award originated in Arkansas but is now given out nationwide to high school players who show outstanding character and sportsmanship. The award is given to a player who may, or may not, be an outstanding player on the field but who represents the ideals and values that Burlsworth displayed. Past winners from Gravette High School include Derek Estep, 2006; Jonathon Ricks, 2007; Sam Hendren, 2008; Lincoln Parker, 2009; Brian Hendren, 2010; TJ Holt, 2012; Caleb Toney, 2013; John Walker, 2014; Bryce Moorman, 2015; and Sam Mayo, 2021.
Maribel Childress, superintendent of Gravette Public Schools, welcomed members of the Burlsworth family, including Brandon’s brother Marty and wife; his former Harrison High School football coach, Tommy Tice, and wife; and former GHS Burlsworth Award winners who were all among the crowd who came to honor Burlsworth. Burlsworth family members and friends were introduced on the track at Lion Field between the first and second quarters of the football game, and former Burlsworth Award members present were introduced there between the third and fourth quarters of the game.