Official 2015 Nominations Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Burlsworth Trophy Announces Nominees

Trophy honors most outstanding current/former Walk-On for sixth year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Nov. 10, 2015 – Today the Burlsworth Trophy and the presenting sponsor, the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club, are excited to announce the 55 players nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy. The 2015 list includes team captains, All-Conference selections and national statistical leaders from every conference in the nation. The Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a Walk-On. A Walk-On is defined as a player who began his first season of participation with a D1 (FBS) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university’s athletic department. The Trophy is named in honor of former University of Arkansas Walk-On and All-American offensive lineman, Brandon Burlsworth. Burlsworth’s life is also the subject of a new major motion picture, “GREATER”, which will be released on January 22, 2016.

The 2015 Burlsworth Trophy nominees are:

“In this 6th year of the Burlsworth Trophy, I am again impressed by the quality and commitment of the athletes who have been nominated,” said Marty Burlsworth, CEO and founder of the Burlsworth Foundation and older brother of Brandon. “These young men represent what the Burlsworth Trophy stands for: character, hard work, dedication to a sport and to their school and above all else, a desire to excel at the highest level.”

Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft, but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.

Springdale Rotary Club will host an awards ceremony on Dec. 7th in Springdale, (Ark.) to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2015 winner.