Greater 2016

The year is 1999, and Marty Burlsworth stands at the edge of a crowded stadium, waiting for the funeral of his younger brother, Brandon Burlsworth. The family is shattered by the loss, and while his mother, Barbara, leans into faith, Marty struggles to locate any faith at all. An uneasy whisper of doubt threads through the moment, carried by an imagined figure—the Farmer—who questions how a benevolent God could let a gifted young man’s shining moment be cut short. The scene shifts between the quiet of a grieving home and the resounding roar of a college football world, hinting at the deeper story that follows.

The narrative then travels back to Brandon’s youth, when a 12-year-old with a big dream begins to chart a path that would carry him into the heart of college football. Brandon grows up watching the dream take shape as he classes himself in the tough, relentless world of high school football at Harrison High, where he studies the craft under the steady gaze of coach Tommy Tice. Marty, who is seventeen years older, steps into the role of protector, often mistaken for a father figure as he tries to shield Brandon from the rough edges of life and the roughness of the game. The family’s dynamic unfolds against the gravity of an estranged father, Leo—a former musician battling alcoholism—who tries to rebuild his presence in their lives as the shadow of the past reappears.

Brandon’s path to Arkansas is not immediate or easy. When his dream to join the Razorbacks as a full scholarship offensive guard stalls, he makes a bold choice: walk on in 1994. The odds feel stacked against him. Offensive line coach Mike Bender doubts Brandon’s size will ever fit the demands of Division I football, and the skepticism echoes through the corridors of the team. Yet the locker room is not silent about him; teammates such as Nathan Ward, Anthony Lucas, and Grant Garrett—the latter of whom becomes his roommate—voice their disbelief with sharp taunts and steady questions. Brandon wears those doubts like a weight belt, using them as fuel rather than an excuse.

What follows is a grueling, methodical transformation. Brandon commits to shedding fat, building muscle, and refining technique until he no longer resembles the teammate people doubted. His persistence earns the attention of the Arkansas program, and during his sophomore season, the tide begins to turn. The head coach, Danny Ford, sees his determination and awards him a scholarship. He earns a starting position at right guard, and the team begins to rally around his steady, workmanlike approach. The season of 1998 shines as a turning point: Brandon becomes an All-American, a testament to endurance, discipline, and a belief in the power of a single player to lift an entire unit. The news travels beyond the field, and the football world peers with growing respect as his name becomes synonymous with perseverance.

With college success behind him, Brandon’s future takes form on a larger stage. He is drafted in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, a moment that marks the ascent from collegiate hero to professional prospect. A routine workout in Indianapolis confirms the sense that a bright professional road lies ahead; his position coach voices an unmistakable faith in Brandon’s potential, painting a picture of a promising career shaped by hard work and consistent drive.

Tragedy, however, interrupts this arc far too soon. Eleven days after the draft, Brandon is killed in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer. The loss strains Marty’s faith and intensifies the Farmer’s whispered challenge, a relentless reminder of the unfairness that sometimes accompanies talent and ambition. Yet the moment of heartbreak gradually yields a stubborn spark of resolve. After the funeral, Marty returns to the stadium floor where flowers have been laid in tribute. He steps among the sea of blooms and discovers a message that seems to crystallize Brandon’s legacy—a simple, powerful statement spelled out by the arrangement: “We Trust.”

The sight is more than a memorial; it becomes a turning point for Marty. As he stands above the field, the symbols of celebration and grief merge into a renewed sense of purpose. The story returns him to the heart of the celebration, where a profound message from Brandon lingers in his mind: steadfast effort, loyalty to family, and faith in something larger than the self. In that moment, Marty finds a new measure of faith—one that acknowledges the pain of loss while embracing the possibility of meaning that can emerge from struggle.

Throughout this journey, the film balances intimate family dynamics with a larger portrayal of a dream pursued against the odds. It highlights a boy’s unwavering ambition and the man who helps him reach toward it, even as life’s harsh blows threaten to derail the path. It presents a family’s endurance in the face of tragedy, and how the idea of “We Trust” can become a beacon that guides someone through the darkest hours. The narrative maintains a steady, respectful tone, allowing the emotional gravity to unfold without sensationalism, and it invites viewers to reflect on the roles faith, perseverance, and memory play in healing.

In the end, the story remains focused on the core message that Brandon’s life—a record of hard work, late nights, and relentless practice—continues to speak to those who knew him and those who learn about him. It is a story about loyalty, about protecting a brother’s dream, and about finding reassurance in the most unexpected places. The memorial, the flowers, and the single, quiet words of trust become a lasting tribute that invites audiences to consider their own beliefs and the ways in which courage can illuminate a path forward, even when the road ahead is shrouded in doubt.