The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of the most amazing in football history. My mom says that Brandons message comes through. When I told him to come at me full force to demonstrate my lesson about blocking, Brandon knocked me flat on my back, leaving me dazed for several seconds.". Brian Reindl is a real estate developer by trade, but a filmmaker by passion. Ratliff pounced on the ball. Told he wasn't good enough to play Division I football, Brandon Burlsworth took a risk and walked on in 1994, and he became the most respected player in the history of the program. Brandon Burlsworth was in a car accident and was announced dead at the scene on April 28, 1999. Life itself, squeezed into 60 minutes in 100 yards. "I kept coming back to comparisons with Brandon. He walked onto the team and, despite spending a season as a redshirt on the scout team, proved his worth; ahead of his sophomore year, the offensive lineman had earned a scholarship. After an exhaustive, deliberate process, Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard were in agreement: Shane Steichen was the top candidate for the team's head coaching position. There was only one problem. You like to see those kinds of things happen in sports. Please enjoy the peak of my journalistic career. He was the first pick in the third round, the 63rd overall selection. As a player, "Brandon promised to be one of those players we point to and say, 'This is how it's done,' " said a top Colts official. The Arkansas win did more than preserve the Vols perfect record. He wanted to help underprivileged kids with his NFL money. "He always said there would be time for girls later, but he had things he needed to accomplish first," said his mother, Barbara Burlsworth, a Harrison Realtor. I kept thinking Someone needs to make a movie about this guy,' Reindl said. Good fortune was certainly on the Vols side against Arkansas. He was drafted in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft to protect oddly enough former Vol quarterback Peyton Manning. In Anticipation Of UFC 285 On ESPN+ PPV Saturday, Four Experts Weighed In, ESPNs Renewal Of Three-Year Formula 1 Deal Is Off To A Roaring Start, Starting Five: NBA Today and NBA Countdowns Malika Andrews. 2 Alabama, SEC Women's Basketball Tournament action suspended due to weather delay, 2 SEC players named to late-season watch list for Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Trophy, Overrated? Throughout his football career, Brandon Burlsworth never let adversity stop him from achieving his goals. I know his teammates respected him for the work he put in and his incredible dedication. Mudd went on to scale heights with Indianapolis that included the NFL's all-time winningest regular-season record over a decade (115-45, 2000-09), multiple division titles, two AFC crowns and a World Championship. We support responsible gambling. Coach Tice: You know, football's a rough game; it's unpredictable. He was on his heels and I was like, Im not going to stop pushing.'. But that same night, April 28, Mudd received a phone call from a newspaper reporter, asking him, "Have you heard about Brandon Burlsworth?" Burlsworth had been killed in a car accident. Anyone within earshot of Ratliff just moments before heard him call his shot. INDIANAPOLIS By now, Brandon Burlsworth likely would be retired, probably a world champion and former Pro Bowler and, possibly, according to his brother, Marty, headed to Canton, Ohio. The play was unpredictable, right? Cutcliffe decided to do just that. However, he was killed in an automobile accident 11 days after the draft. Family members have attended one home game annually to this day. Their affinity for the franchise has been a constant. However, the player some consider the best walk-on in college football history was tragically killed in a car accident just 11 days later. Once his chance, though, Burlsworth seized his opportunity. I remember Al on the sideline screaming at us and telling us, We cant lose to Arkansas, Ratliff said. brandon burlsworth car accident details, 47 Best Movies Images In 2019 Film Movie Movie Clock, 17 Best Divorce Board Images Divorce Divorce Lawyers This Or, 46 Best Inspiring People Images Looking Up Robyn Davidson, 14 Best Sports Images Arkansas Razorbacks Football Arkansas, 21 Best Elijah Oyefeso Pictures Images Elijah Pictures, 16 Best New Dvd S January 2017 Images Movie Tv New Movies, 26 3d Movie Prime Video Best Choice In 2020 Hd Movies Movies, 54 Best Christian Videos Streaming On Amazon Prime I Like Images. The more the "farmer" talked to Marty about faith and religion and making him doubt the more detailed it became. Burlsworth died in a car accident on April 28, 1999, and his story of faith and conviction has been gaining recognition in recent years due to various programs and a new biopic called Greater.. The family picked Brandon up at the airport after the rookie camp. He was sore from the work, but expressed comfort with his teammates and the size of Indianapolis. Burlsworth was a walk-on offensive lineman at the University of Arkansas who, throughout his career at Arkansas, went from being a red-shirt out-of-shape freshman to a player that the Indianapolis Colts would draft. Former Arkansas football player and Indianapolis Colts third-round draft pick Brandon Burlsworth died Wednesday in a car crash near Carrolton, Ark., while travelling to his home, state police said . "There are people in the organization we feel close to. I'm still asked by people in Harrison about the Colts, and I tell them about our close relationship to this day. Arkansas is impressed with the Colts, no doubt about that.". Offensive lineman brandon burlsworth went from walk on to all american during his career at arkansas before dying in a car crash just after the 1999 nfl draft. . Ratliffs explosive push into the backfield caused Burlsworth to step on Stoerners foot. You sow a habit, you reap a character. Weve got to throw it. I said No, were going to run it every down and we ran the football right down their throat.. If it does not offend you, then you should enjoy it. He was a gentle giant with an instinct to win. The program provides free exams and glasses for up to 1,000 preschool-through-12th grade students in Arkansas, and there are plans to take it nationwide. After working 11 years on his Brandon Burlsworth biopic Greater, Reindl is within days of seeing his dream project open on 400 to 450 screens across the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest next week.. Burlsworth was an All-American football player for the University of Arkansas, who died tragically in an automobile . Unfortunately, Brandon was tragically killed in a head-on automobile collision just 11 days after the draft." Journalism Showcase: E60 Producer Discusses How New Documentary On Undefeated 72 Dolphins Puts Fresh Perspective on 50-Year-Old Story, ESPNs Gymnastics Creative Soars and Brings the Light to Friday Night Heights, Inside The Making Of Andscape Writer Jesse Washingtons MLK Weekend Essay Living In His Legacy, ESPNs Holland Mickle Roars into Action for the Injured Clemson Cub, Whats Your Beef With Jon Jones? Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. 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 a slight notch below 6-4. The fundraising event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. We were involved from start to finish in a sort of advisory role. The Indianapolis Colts wore his initials, BB, on their helmets for the 1999 season. Burlsworth was killed 15 miles from home on a road he had traveled for years when his car drifted into the on coming lane. Brandon Burlsworth death scene What was Brandon Burlsworth's death scene like? Two collisions followed and the life of a wonderful human with vast. During his UT career, Ratliff suffered a severe neck injury, two torn knee ligaments and serious shin splints. Burlsworth's death on April 28, only 11 days after the Indianapolis Colts took him in the third round of the NFL draft, left people in Arkansas in shock and asking questions that will remain. She agreed, and the night before Brandon's fatal accident, he sat with his mother at the dinner table to send the Roths a thank-you note. Sports betting in Tennessee officially launched on November 1, 2020, and many of the largest sportsbooks are live and operating in the volunteer state. "As time goes on, you deal with the hurt. That 'what ifs' never really go away," said Marty. "We're life-long Colts fans, always will be. Thats the way I went about it.. In reality he also had one from Henderson State University. Tice also told of a time when he'd become agitated with another lineman during practice and told the team to watch. "When Brandon showed up at the rookie camp, he was even better than I thought he'd be," said Mudd. MB: Our agreement was that the family could object if we felt something was not portrayed in the right manner. He died in a car crash on april 28 1999 shortly after he was drafted by the nfls indianapolis colts. Few of them, though, have followed the same road as Brandon Burlsworth. He was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. On Friday, Aug. 26, the movie "GREATER" will be released in theaters. "No problem, I'm used to it," quipped Burlsworth, who popped the lens of his eyeglasses out and smiled away. Brandon Burlsworth went from freshman walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas before being the Colts' third-round pick in 1999. Harding School of Theology student Ben Hansen said the movie far exceeded his low expectations due to the quality of some Christian movies. Under the organizations umbrella, there are multiple programs. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. It was a tough situation. State police Cpl. Freshmen bring people together with Bison El Puente celebrates National Hispanic Heritage University executes new check-in procedures for Harding students from Florida react to Harding students to participate in business ASI kicks off distinguished lecture series University centers Lectureship around Christ and Q&A with Lisa Williams, ambassador for University celebrates Williams inauguration, Songwriting contest ends in recording workshop. We didnt really get a chance until the end of the game.. But there was a film made about it and there were a lot of articles about it. He continued to grow and was a good 6-foot-2, 260 pounds in his senior season. The football fraternity had great expectations from the talented young man but fate had other plans and he was killed in an accident. In the world of sports, there are plenty of iconic underdog stories. Billy Ratliff was right next to me, Wilson said. Leo Burlsworth United States Social Security Death Index Age 59 Given Name Leo Surname Burlsworth Birth Date 19 Oct 1938 State Arkansas Last Place of Residence Boone, Arkansas Previous Residence Postal Code 72601 Event Date 02 Apr 1997 ===== LEO BURLSWORTH 19 Oct 1938 02 Apr 1997 (V) 72601 (Harrison, Boone, AR) 72601 (Harrison, Boone, AR) 000 . Among UT fans, his name is synonymous with the Arkansas fumble. Mens cross-country places 11th at regional Christmas Market features student-owned businesses. Instead, the accident happened four days later, tearing holes in the hearts of everyone who knew Brandon. If Billy Ratliff is still out here playing, whatever injury I have, it cant be that bad, Coleman said. Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. He was freak athlete. As spelled out in an ESPN college football video, Burlsworth was never the most athletic guy; during high school, he was slow, soft, and didnt see significant playing time until his junior year. As UTs defense tried to hold on, quarterback Tee Martin and UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe were devising a drive in which theyd have very little time left if they got the ball back at all. FAYETTEVILLE There is a great . Philip Straub said the call came in at 4:17 p.m. that there was a crash involving a car and a tractor-trailer on U.S. 412 near Carrolton. "He's in heaven now. Organizations and businesses prepare for Valentines Gov. Rivers and Steichen worked together with the Chargers, while Turner gave Steichen his first opportunity in the NFL. 77 retired. All rights reserved. They (Arkansas) did a good job of game-planning on us. "He stayed around the house and left for Fayetteville on Tuesday," Vickie says. We dont have to understand it -- BUT we do have the choice of how we react to it. Brandon burlsworth dies on arkansas highway after head on collision with tractor trailer. Just days after the draft, tragedy struck. Said Burlsworth's position coach and lineman on the 1964 national champion Razorback team Mike Bender, "(He's) the best to play the offensive line in Arkansas history. There has never been one like Brandon, and there never will be again.". After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. In the book about Brandon's life, retired businessman Bud Walsh of Harrison is credited with advising Brandon's older brother Marty to contact Razorback Assistant Coach Harold Horton to hopefully become a walk-on. Cutcliffe called on Henry five consecutive times. We always beat those guys. Brandon Burlsworth (as Chris Severio) Michael Parks Leo Burlsworth Nick Searcy The Farmer Peter Gray Lewis Coach Tice (as Peter Lewis) Fredric Lehne Coach Bender Texas Battle Anthony Lucas M.C. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting. This is incredible. #HistoricHog pic.twitter.com/xBCanCzixz. 1. Ratliff and Coleman were suite mates, so they knew each other well off the field. Draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. If Arkansas could just run the clock and punt the ball deep, theyd likely upset the top-ranked Vols in Neyland Stadium. As the mind flashes back 15 years ago, the accident remains just as tragic. The life of a tremendous human being was ended. That is an incalculable loss. Before I leave the remarkable legacy of Harrison's Brandon Burlsworth and the film of his life called Greater, now showing in nearly 400 theaters across America, I want to share a few back-story notes about the 22-year-old Razorback All-American who died in a tragic traffic accident on April 28, 1999. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. At Arkansas, the former Harrison High School player became a three-year starter and finished as an All-Southeastern Conference pick and on the Associated Press All-America second team. [2] Death Eleven days after being drafted, he was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas on his way back to his hometown of Harrison one night after a workout in Fayetteville. For people unfamiliar with Brandons story, walk us through his development from your perspective. "That first year was tough. Every year, it was a little easier," said Burlsworth. "That first year when Brandon was supposed to be on the field was hard, and I think anyone could understand that. You always wanted the best for your team, but you wanted your family member to be out there. He went after it without caution.". It was meant to be.. An Arkansas loss would end the Vols dreams for a title but keep hope alive for the Razorbacks, who were surprisingly also in the national title hunt. Director David Hunt (from left) poses Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, with producer Brian Reindl, and Marty Burlsworth, brother of Brandon Burlsworth, during a red carpet event ahead of the premiere. The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier after earning first-team All-America honors as a fifth-year senior, was involved in a head-on crash with a. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident less than two weeks after he was drafted. . 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. Hate to see Desir be the victim lol. He had fresh legs and blew up the play.. Theyd risen to No. Request more info or view our 3D Seat Viewer below! Steichen's creativity and flexibility shined when the Eagles came to Indianapolis in Week 11 of the 2022 season. You can say that if you werent a part of it and you didnt see what I saw. "Then I turned around and the next player I faced was Brandon. ESPN NHL Production Coordinator Camille Bova Does it All for the 2023 NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh, N.C. Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson advanced Tuesday to a runoff election as they seek to become the Windy City's next mayor, putting an end to incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot's one-term tenure leading the city amid an unprecedented crime wave.. Who are the two candidates looking to come out on top in the April 4 runoff election? He said his familys personal contribution to Brandons legacy was the Burlworth Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged kids enjoy Arkansas Razorback and Indianapolis Colts games. The movie really addressed the question of why bad things happen to good people, Hansen said. ET on ESPN from Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas. Actor Chris Severio as Brandon Burlsworth, wearing his trademark black-rimmed glasses. Its hard not to imagine what might have been had Burlsworth not passed away when he was 22. In the short time Brandon was on this earth he left a legacy and a positive role model that will be remembered long after we are gone. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). I never lost my faith and that first night, after everyone had gone home, I grabbed my wife and my moms hand and we prayed. After being six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds as a senior at Harrison High School in 1993, Burlsworth grew almost three inches and added 30 pounds by the following spring. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Although he never played a down in the NFL, he had impressed Mudd enough during mini-camp that. With a chance to be Harrison's first full-time resident to make a professional sport, brother and agent Marty remembers draft day. He inspires people. Recently, I did a Q&A with his older brother Marty, who was instrumental in Brandons life. The Harrison, Arkansas, native walked on and became a three-year starter, All-American and NFL Draft pick. **CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE OF BRANDON BURLSWORTH IN 1999 ROOKIE CAMP**. He definitely was, Coleman said. There was no overlooking those two foes like the Vols might have done against Arkansas. Tice said he also called then-Hog head coach Danny Ford and asked him to take a look at Brandon. All Martin had to do was hand the ball off to running back Travis Henry. Phillip was saying Weve got to throw it. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. John E. Hoover can be . Before he ever hit the gridiron, though, the lineman tragically died in an offseason accident. Its very possible the two would have had many more epic battles in the NFL. Burlsworth, who began his college career as a pudgy walk-on and became a standout offensive lineman for the Razorbacks, was killed in a traffic accident April 28 while driving from the campus. The lineman had returned from the Colts' weekend minicamp. "I liked him so much that I used him as the barometer for the rest of the players I evaluated that year. While his tragic death may have ended his football career, it didnt stop the linemans ability to change the world. Brandon burlsworth dies on arkansas highway after head on collision with tractor trailer. After his time at the University of Arkansas ended, Brandon Burlsworth seemed poised to realize his NFL dreams. The movie tells how Burlsworth, against all odds, went to Arkansas without an athletic scholarship and became an All-American football player and National Football League third-round draft choice. They said they were at a loss at what to do after Brandons death but knew they had to do something to keep moving forward. You want to hear from the pertinent voices, the people that were closely involved and related to Brandon played with him, coached him and raised him. Marty and Vickie Burlsworth said they thought Greater was a fantastic rendering of what was important to Brandon. Carrolton ap former arkansas offensive guard brandon burlsworth died in a car crash as he headed home to harrison from fayetteville officials said. This is a movie not just for football fans but for everyone. Arkansas needed 12 yards for the first down, but that wasnt even necessary. Id never heard it before. INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts on Sunday remembered Brandon Burlsworth, the team's third-round draft pick who died in a traffic crash before he could take his place in their offensive line. "GREATER" tells the story of Burlsworth, a former college walk-on, who would go on to earn All-America honors at the . After all, UT needed a pass interference penalty to beat Syracuse and were outgained by Florida but still beat the Gators. This is the life story of Brandon Burlsworth who is probably best known as a former offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1995 - 1999 (which is also the same time I went to the University of Arkansas). Not exactly. The storys been told a lot but it probably hasnt reached as many people as you think, he said. ESPN College GameDay 8-31-19 #WeTrust pic.twitter.com/x3UCtOjLLf, Burlsworth Trophy (@BurlsworthTrust) August 29, 2019. In this 1999 photo, the locker of Brandon Burlsworth is seen encased in glass in the locker room at the University of Arkansas. Miranda Valles, 21, died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend on I-290. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 20, 1976 to Leo Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. He had absolutely no quit in him. Brandon the officer told us had collided head on with a semi. Q: What message do you want fans to take from this movie? As a part of the program, the Colts will hire a Dungy Fellow for the offense and the defense. 1976 April 28, 1999) was killed in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas, on . Click to reveal One of the most unusual aspects of the Arkansas fumble is that Ratliff shouldnt have been in the game at all. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident less than two weeks after he was drafted. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL draft, but sadly, after eleven days, he was involved in a road accident. Now, you can't control who your mom and daddy is, but you can control how hard you work. Steichen called plays for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Brandon's family established an establishment in 1999 to respect him. Brian Reindl, writer and producer of Greater, said he loved the opportunity to tell such an incredible story in his first-ever production. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. That hand was holding the football. He just never sought the limelight. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South. Tice, now the athletic director for Huntsville, said he's never donned another helmet. Brandon was on his way home from the university of arkansas to pick up his mother and attend church when the accident happened 11. He was more assertive than most of the other linemen at the practices. When Zac Budman was assigned to produce a feature for College GameDay Built by The Home Depot on the late Brandon Burlsworth, he did his research and learned the amazing and tragic story of the former Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman. They came to town to interview everyone and get photographs for the magazine. After Brandon was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, the caring couple asked Barbara if they might give Brandon some new shirts and a set of luggage for his trip. Literally. As tangible as his encased locker in the Broyles Athletics Center, the Burls' kids program and the Burlsworth Trophy given each year to the nation's most outstanding walk on football player,. The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football.The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football.The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. Brandon Burlsworth died from a car accident just eleven days after being drafted. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American . After his death, Burlsworth's #77 became only the second retired number in Razorback football history. While he received some offers from smaller schools, Burlsworth wanted to go to the University of Arkansas and play for the Razorbacks. But Arkansas was the dream. Brandon and Ed played football together and became very close friends over the years. Burlsworth 22 a third round draft pick of the indianapolis colts on april 17 was driving on us. The boy was almost 6-foot-4 and tipped the scales at more than 300 pounds. Cover photo of Clint Stoerners fumble courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Tragically, that never happened. Carrolton (AP) - Former Arkansas offensive guard BRANDON BURLSWORTH died in a car crash as he headed home to Harrison from Fayetteville, officials said. (Zac Budman/ESPN), The Burlsworth Award trophy (Zac Budman/ESPN), Ruettiger, the famed former Notre Dame football walk-on], ESPN Producer Michelle Rosenhouse Makes the Most of Memorable Moments, Journalism Showcase: SC Featured Highlights Cheyney States Remarkable 1982 Womens Basketball Team, Inside ESPN Marketings XFL Spot Bring It In, Journalism Showcase: SportsCenter Reporter Dives Into Growth of Girls Youth Flag Football. Im going to try jump the snap, get off the ball as quick as possible and Im going to put my hand straight on his chest and run him through the goalpost, Ratliff said recently when asked what he remembered about the play that would most define UTs national championship season. His story is the subject of movie that debuts Friday calledGreater.. Were going to get the ball back., "I tell people all the time that if I was still in the game when that happened, we probably would have lost because I just didnt have it in the tank right then. A mother losing a child at that young age, it was tough. He could finally reap the rewards of everything he put into the game all the training, all the schooling, all the dedication, all the hard work. Burlsworth was selected in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts but he was killed eleven days later in a car accident near Alpena, Arkansas on April 28, 1999. Unfortunately, Brandon was tragically killed in a head-on automobile collision just 11 days after the draft. Honors College announces new faculty fellow. We had never had a problem with anybody in the SEC but Florida. 22, who died Wednesday in an automobile accident. The note arrived on the day Brandon died. Said Fulmer, Anybody that loves football would love that. After his two weeks in Indianapolis, Brandon flew home on April 18, 1999, a Sunday. Burlsworth was killed in a traffic accident last Wednesday as he drove from working out at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to his home in Harrison, a city of about 11,000. History happened, he said. Today, The University of Arkansas has created an endowment in Brandon's name. He was on his way back to Harrison, his hometown, following a workout in Fayetteville. The Burlsworth Trophy has been awarded every year since 2010. Also not included in the film is that Brandon and Marty also have a brother named Grady. It made them believe they could win a title and instilled fear of the possibility of coming up short. The Good Lord doesnt make things happen without a reason. Instead, the dreams of a family and the promise of an NFL career were cut short tragically when Burlsworth was killed 15 years ago today in a car accident as he headed home to Harrison, Arkansas. Ratliff continued playing football for the love of the game. "He loved the coaching staff and grew close to Coach Mudd immediately," said Marty. "Brandon felt very good about getting on the field and beginning the next step of his career. He knew he could be going against Bruce Smith on opening day. He was already getting ready for that challenge.". The coach said he managed to get back to his feet, still surrounded by the team. While Ratliffs NFL future was never a realistic option because of his myriad injuries, Burlsworth had an incredibly bright future ahead of him. All of the sudden I looked down and I see the ball on the ground, Ratliff said. After walking on, Burlsworth became an All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Peyton Manning. After college he became a third-round pick of the Colts. We reviewed several different scripts over the years, and we also reviewed any revisions that were made of significance.