The Official 2011 Nominations Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Burlsworth Trophy Announces Nominees

Former and current walk-ons making significant impact

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Nov. 15, 2011 – Today, The Burlsworth Trophy and the presenting sponsor, the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club, are excited to announce the 50 players nominated for The Burlsworth Trophy. The 2011 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 2010 inaugural winner was Georgia Tech Center Sean Bedford. Out of high school, no Division I program offered him a scholarship, so he chose Georgia Tech for its outstanding academic reputation and its engineering program. Once there, he decided to walk on to the football team. He eventually became a two-time first team All-ACC selection and led the way for a rushing offense that ranked No. 1 in the entire nation. Sporting News named the aerospace engineering major one of the 20 smartest athletes in the nation.

The 2011 Burlsworth Trophy nominees are:

With the Burlsworth Trophy only in its second year, the award has become exactly what we envisioned. We are thrilled to see not only the quality of the young men and their work ethics, but these guys are incredible players,” said Marty Burlsworth, Brandon’s brother, and also
chairman and CEO of both The Burlsworth Foundation and The Burlsworth Trophy. “Each player has contributed greatly to his team and we look forward to getting to know the stories behind each one of this year’s nominees.”

*The Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without any Division 1 scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to the Razorbacks team in 1994, worked his way to being 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 that have limited opportunities.