Brandon Burlsworth’s memory and inspiration remain evident through Burls Kids at Colts’ games

INDIANAPOLIS — The memory of what might have been and the motivation for what is possible are positioned in the upper deck on the south end of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Section 618.

Rows 3-4.

Burls Kids.

The special enterprise to expose youngsters to an NFL game-day experience was supposed to be part of Brandon Burlsworth’s giveback to Indianapolis after the Colts selected the standout/inspirational Arkansas guard in the third round of the 1999 draft.

“Even before Brandon was drafted, he and I had casually talked about needing to have some football camps, which we do in Arkansas,’’ said Marty Burlsworth, Brandon’s brother. “On the NFL level, we had always seen those sponsored ticket blocks for kids to attend as something we wanted to be part of.

“Brandon said, ‘We need to do that, too.’ I said, ‘Absolutely. We’ll do that. We’ll sponsor kids.’’

Twenty-five years later, Burls Kids remain a small but significant part of the Colts’ operation.

That’s the case even though Brandon Burlsworth never stepped on the field for the franchise.

A few days after attending his rookie minicamp, Burlsworth was killed in a car accident near his home in Harrison, Ark. It was April, 29, 1999.

“After his accident,’’ Marty said, “I didn’t want to let it go. This is our 25 ^th year of sponsoring kids for Colts games and for the Razorbacks.

“We’ve kept it up all these years and we don’t see it stopping anytime soon.’’

Why?

“It’s Brandon’s legacy,’’ Marty said. “It’s just something that’s so important to us. Him making it to (the NFL) level. Never got on the field, but we wanted to fulfill his dreams of those camps and hosting kids at games.’’

While the Burlsworth Foundation is the overarching force behind the various charitable acts and clinics in Arkansas and Indy, the Colts’ ticket-block endeavor required local intervention.

Enter: Tom Leix.

“He’s been with us for 25 years,’’ Marty said. “He’s our boots-on-the-ground guy.’’

Leix, 65, resides in Zionsville and is Indiana’s Sales Director for UnitedHeathcare Medicare. In 1999, he was marketing director for Kiwanis International.

It was during a national convention in Denver in ‘99 that Leix networked with an individual from Arkansas. A short time later, that individual reached out and floated the possibility of Leix assisting the Burlsworth Foundation’s new relationship with the Colts.

“I told him I would get involved,’’ Leix said. “We made the connection and off we went.

“And we’re still doing it 25 years later.’’

Leix has compiled a deep spreadsheet of organizations worthy of benefiting from the Brandon-based philosophies of the Burlsworth Foundation. That’s been enhanced by his involvement with the Century Club in Zionsville.

“It’s been everything,’’ he said. “Reading programs. YMCAs. Homework groups. Kokomo Housing Authority’s Homework Club is going to a game this year.’’

At some point this season, youngsters representing the Police Athletic League in South Bend will file into Lucas Oil Stadium. Through a relationship with a former AAU coach, Leix hooked up with Fall Creek Valley Middle School in Lawrence.

Previously, Leix reserved a Christmas weekend date for the United Methodist Children’s Home in Lebanon.

“Those kids don’t have a lot to look forward to,’’ he said. “It’s something special for 10 of those kids to look forward to doing that.

“I’ve had groups from East Chicago to Jeffersonville and Evansville. I’m sure a map would show we’ve dealt with every region of the state.’’

When the Colts open the season Sunday against the Houston Texans, a portion of Section 618, Rows 3-4 will be filled by Arc of Greater Boone County, an advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

To assist in determining which program should be slotted into which home game, Leix sends out correspondence to candidates that’s rather basic.

“I just ask two questions,’’ he said. “How does your group live up to the philosophy of the Burlsworth Foundation, of doing it the Burls way? Then, how do you think it will affect the group you take to the game?’’

Attending groups are given the 10 tickets – it might be seven or eight youngsters along with a couple of adult chaperones – and receive T-shirts and information from Burlsworth Foundation to educate them the essence of Brandon Burlsworth. They also are given a pair of Brandon’s signature black-framed glasses. He was a spot-on double for Drew Carey.

Burlsworth was a walk-on at Arkansas who earned a scholarship as a sophomore, was named team captain and developed into an All-America guard. His 77 is one of two jerseys retired by the Razorbacks and the Burlsworth Trophy has been given annually since 2010 to the most deserving FBS player who began his career as a walk-on.

When the Colts selected Burlsworth with the 63 ^rd overall pick in ’99, they envisioned him being a long-term fixture on their offensive line. Position coach Howard Mudd had already determined Burlsworth would be one of his starting guards.

Burlsworth inspired a book – Through the Eyes of a Champion: The Brandon Burlsworth Story.

And a movie – Greater .

Youngsters attending Colts games, according to Marty Burlsworth “learn about Brandon and the obstacles he overcame, the path he took to make it as a walk-on, just proving all the doubters wrong.

“So many people kept telling him, ‘You can’t do this. You can’t do this. You’re not good enough.’

“Most of these children come from not-ideal home situations, so getting to hear Brandon’s story and understanding anything’s possible as long as you have faith in your work, that’s important to us.’’

Leix agreed.

“It’s not just tickets to a game,’’ he said. “There’s really a reason to do this and a desire by the Foundation. You hope sometimes the kids will look back and think, ‘You know what? This was really cool and I want to be more like that.’

“There’s a lot of upside here. I can’t think of a downside.’’

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.

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