Between 1995 and 1998, offensive lineman Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth represented the Arkansas Razorbacks in American football. He first 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.
Brandon Burlsworth’s Date of Birth and Education
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.
Brandon Burlsworth’s Career
At Harrison High School, where he attended classes, Brandon Burlsworth was chosen for the all-state team. He was given several scholarship offers from lesser 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 get his eligibility. He returned to having a 300-pound frame after transforming his body over the next 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 while he was in his junior season, and the next 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 during that time as being on the “All-SEC Academic Honor Roll.”
Before his last 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.
Brandon Burlsworth’s Death
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 terrible 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.