Between 1995 and 1998, offensive lineman Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth represented the Arkansas Razorbacks in American football. He initially signed up as a walk-on for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but later received an athlete’s scholarship and went on to win the national championship. He had a distinctive appearance due to his likeness to comedian Drew Carey and his large black glasses. The gifted young man was much anticipated by the football community, but fate had other ideas, and he was murdered in an accident. The football world rallied together to honor his accomplishments after his untimely passing, and his family and friends established a foundation in his honor. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation helps kids with limited chances and is a representation of Brandon’s work ethic and Christian principles. At the University of Arkansas, his jersey #77 was retired as a mark of respect for his memory.
Career of Brandon Burlsworth
Brandon Burlworth attended Harrison High School and was chosen for the state all-academic team there. He was given numerous scholarship offers from smaller colleges, but he ultimately decided to join the University of Arkansas’ walk-on football team. He struggled during his first year to reduce his 300 lb. obese frame to a manageable 260 lb. frame while also waiting to receive his eligibility. He returned to having a 300-pound frame after transforming his body over the following two years to become more muscular.
He was given a scholarship and guaranteed a spot at right guard on the offensive line for the Arkansas Razorbacks in 1996. He was chosen as one of the team captains in 1997 when he was in his junior season, and the following two years saw him earn All-SEC recognition.
He was chosen for the “College Football All-America Team” in 1998, making him the first player from Arkansas to get this honor since 1993. In 1995 and 1998, he was a member of the Razorback football teams that won the SEC Western Division championships and was recognized each year of that time as being on the “All-SEC Academic Honor Roll.”
Prior to his final game against the University of Texas, Brandon became the first player from Arkansas to get his master’s degree. Following his passing, the Arkansas Razorbacks retired his number in his honor and put his locker on display by encasing it in the glass. Brandon received two inductions: the University of Arkansas Letterman’s Association Hall of Honor in 2004 and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Individual life and death
Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth welcomed Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth into the world on September 20, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. He attended Harrison High School, where he received his diploma.
He was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft, but tragically, he died in a car accident eleven days later. In Alpena, Arkansas, his Subaru clipped an approaching 18-wheeler before slamming into a tractor-trailer head-on. The cause of the tragic event was not known to the police. He died on April 28, 1999, having not survived the collision. On May 2, 1999, he was laid to rest in the Gass Cemetery in Omaha, Arkansas.
The Foundation for Brandon Burlsworth
In Brandon’s honor, his family and friends established the “Brandon Burlsworth Foundation.” The charity, which stands for his ideals and beliefs, seeks to help underprivileged children and offers them both material and spiritual support—a quality for which Brandon was well-known. Currently, the organization aims to give poor children the opportunity to attend Razorback and Colts football games through the “Burls Kids” program.
Thousands of school pupils in Arkansas have received eye treatment thanks to the foundation’s collaboration with Walmart/Optical Sam’s Department and independent optometrists.
Estimated Net Worth
This late player’s net worth is projected to be around $1 million as of 2022.
According to figures that have been made public, an NFL player makes an average of $860,000 per year.