Brandon Burlsworth Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth ( September 20 , 1976 – April 28 , 1999 ) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1996 - 1998 . He joined the team as a walk - on and eventually became an All - American . He was well known for his thick black glasses and his resemblance to comedian Drew Carey . Football Career . Burlsworth graduated from Harrison ( Arkansas ) High School in 1994 and was a recruited walk - on football player at the University of Arkansas . He earned a scholarship his first year , and went on to become team captain , All - SEC 1997 - 1998 , First Team All - SEC 1998 , Football News First Team All - American in 1998 , and the first All - American from the University of Arkansas in a decade . He was also named to the All - SEC Academic Honor Roll every year from 1995 - 1998 . Burlsworth graduated from the University of Arkansas with bachelors and masters degree s . Brandon was the first Razorback football player to complete a masters degree before playing in his final game . Shortly after graduating , he was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts . Brandon was elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and the UA Letterman ' s Association Hall of Honor in 2004 . 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 . Houston Nutt , Arkansas Razorback Head Coach at the time , started the saying , " Do it the Burls Way " , a saying that means do it the right way , even when no one is looking . Burlsworth was buried on May 2 , 1999 , the day he was supposed to be picking out wedding rings with his fiancee . Brandon Burlsworth Foundation . After his death , family and friends established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in honor of his work ethic and Christian values . Burls Kids . Today , through the " Burls Kids " program , the Burlsworth Foundation provides underprivileged youth a chance to attend Razorback and Colts football games . Since 2000 , the Foundation has bought 30 tickets to each Arkansas Razorbacks home football game . The tickets are distributed through Razorback Clubs across the state . The children are given an official " Burls Kid " t - shirt and replica glasses similar to what Brandon wore on the field . Eyes of a Champion . In 2007 , the " Eyes of a Champion " program was implemented . The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation , in partnership with Walmart , provides eye care to thousands of pre - kindergarten through twelfth grade students whose working families are trying but still cannot afford extras like eye care and do not qualify for state funded programs . Football Camps . The Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps are for youngsters going into 3rd grade through 9th grade . They are held once each summer at F . S . Garrison Stadium in Harrison , Arkansas , and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock , Arkansas . Children are given a chance to learn from former Razorbacks . Past participants included Anthony Lucas , Clint Stoerner , Joe Dean Davenport , Madre Hill , Grant Garrett , Russ Brown , Barry Lunney Jr . , Chad Abernathy , Michael Smith , Lucas Miller and others . The campers learn football skills but more importantly , they are taught throughout the day about character , attitude , morals , priorities and the desire to do it " The Burls Way . " Scholarship and Awards . Each year the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation gives out several different awards and scholarships at various school levels . Each year , a total of $ 100 , 000 is awarded to recipients of The Brandon Burlsworth Memorial Scholarships at the University of Arkansas . Eighteen ( 18 ) students working towards their masters program and 1 football athlete are chosen . Continuing that tradition , the University awards the Brandon Burlsworth Award is given out yearly to one outstanding Senior male and female athlete . High School awards include the Brandon Burlsworth High School Football Awards . Every high school football coach in Arkansas has the opportunity to nominate one player from the team . That players receives a plaque and an autographed copy of " Through the Eyes of A Champion " the Brandon Burlsworth story . An even greater honor , at the Arkansas state championships games in the fall , the Brandon Burlsworth Championship Award is presented to one player from each team for conduct above and beyond expectations . Harrison ( Arkansas ) High School continues to award the Brandon Burlsworth Award to one male and female athlete who best exemplify the strength of character and work ethic known as " The Burls Way " . Burlsworth Trophy . In 2010 , the Burlsworth Trophy was created and named in his honor . The award is given yearly to the most outstanding Division I FBS college football player who began their career as a walk - on . Biographical Book and Movie . In 2001 , the book “ Eyes of a Champion , the Brandon Burlsworth Story ” by Jeff Kinley was released . A screenplay titled “ Greater ” has been written based on the book . Morgan Casting Company was hired to cast the film and began holding open casting calls in March 2013 in Fayetteville , AR ; Little Rock , AR ; New Orleans , LA ; and Canton , MS . Filming began on Monday , May 6 , 2013 , in Fayetteville , Little Rock and Farmington , AR with a six - week production shoot now underway ( Arkansas Times ) . The screenplay was written by Brian Reindl , who is also producing the film ; David Hunt is directing and Gabe Mayhan is Director of Photography . The producers anticipate that " Greater " could have a U . S . theatrical release in Fall 2014 , although no distribution pacts have been announced .