Carin Schoppmeyer: Award remembers Brandon Burlsworth

The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation is set to announce the 2020 Burlsworth Trophy recipient in a virtual ceremony (burlsworthtrophy.com/live-stream) beginning at noon Monday. Established in 2010, the trophy "recognizes the most outstanding NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision player who began his career as a walk-on."

Organizers say: "Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to the Razorback 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 he 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."

The 2020 finalists, chosen from a pool of nominees from 67 universities, are:

• Dax Milne, Brigham Young University, wide receiver, junior;

• Grant Morgan, University of Arkansas, linebacker, senior; and

• Jimmy Morrissey, University of Pittsburgh, center, senior.

The award presentation is traditionally part of a luncheon benefit for the Burlsworth Foundation. Since 1999, the group has awarded some 346 Burlsworth Scholarships worth more than $1,820,000. The Eyes of a Champion program, with Walmart/Sam's Optical Department and independent optometrists, provides free vision exams and glasses for low-income, uninsured children whose families could not otherwise afford vision care. Other programs include Burls Kids and football camps.

The trophy joined the National College Football Awards Association in 2019 and is one of some two dozen awards presented by the group. Other NCFAA awards include the Heisman Trophy, the Outland Trophy, the Doak Walker Award and the Broyles Award.

Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a major motion picture, "Greater," which was released nationally in 2016.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].