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Brandon Burlsworth's Story of Triumph Over Tragedy is 'Greater'

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Old game footage and old photographs are a sweet reminder of the unforgettable story of Brandon Burlsworth. A new film set to hit theaters tomorrow chronicles Burlsworth incredible journey of beating the odds to play college football. 

The Arkansas Razorbacks joined the team as a walk-on, becoming an All-American, and earning his bachelor's degree and master's degree at the same time.

Brandon's passionate yet painful faith story is now captured in a film called "Greater" which is inspired by the book written about the life of number 77.

"It was a passion project for everyone who was involved," actor Neal McDonough told CBN News. 

McDonough plays Marty, Brandon's big brother and father figure in the film, and he said he was instantly moved by Brandon's story. 

"Brandon was exactly as the film depicts him," said McDonough. "Just a saint of a man that had literally nothing going for him as kid and became not just the greatest walk on in college history, but one of the greatest athletes in college history."

Burlsworth died in a tragic car accident 11 days after being drafted to play with the Indianapolis Colts. 

Marty struggles with the loss of his brother and McDonough said reconciling that on camera was a difficult job.  

"That journey and the struggle of why does God take someone so great away from us at the worst of times and to have to deal with that and man up and be strong enough for everyone," he said. "That is a difficult job to do."

This is a different role for the actor famous for his work in shows like "Arrow" and films like "Red" and "Band of Brothers".

McDonough said his faith influences the roles that he chooses to play. 

"I have gotten into trouble for that at times. People saying you be such a big star if you would have those scenes with women, sex scenes and such," he said. "When you do a bed scene, you are actually in the bed, if you are having love scenes. It's physical. And I am just not comfortable with that."

"When it comes to doing intimate roles in films, I won't do it because I love my wife so much, and I don't think that is what God wanted me to do," he added. 
 

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About The Author

Efrem Graham
Efrem
Graham

Efrem Graham is an award-winning journalist who came to CBN News from the ABC-owned and operated station in Toledo, Ohio. His most recent honor came as co-anchor of the newscast that earned the station’s morning news program its first Emmy Award. Efrem was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, but his formal television and journalism career was born across the Hudson River in New York City. He began as an NBC Page and quickly landed opportunities to work behind-the-scenes in local news, network news, entertainment, and the network’s Corporate Communications Department. His work earned him the NBC