Hogs skip meetings, get private screening of Burlsworth movie

August 19, 2016 at 9:15 p.m.

by Matt Jones

Actor Chris Severio, left, speaks with David Hunt, director of the film "Greater" during a May 2013 shoot at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football players were expecting team meetings Friday night.

Instead, meetings were canceled and the team was bused to a local theater, where players were treated to an advance screening of Greater, the movie chronicling the life of Brandon Burlsworth.

More from WholeHogSports

http://www.wholehog…">Burlsworth actor saves 2 family members, loses home in Louisiana flood

"The Razorback players and coaches seemed to love it," said Brian Reindl, producer of the film. "You could hear a pin drop at the end and there were lots of tears."

Burlsworth began his career as a walk-on, but became an all-American as a senior in 1998. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the NFL Draft the next year, but died 11 days later.

"Wow! Just finished watching #Greaterthemovie with the team!" Arkansas tight ends coach and former quarterback Barry Lunney Jr. wrote on Twitter. "I truly consider it an honor to say Burls was teammate and friend!"

Greater is scheduled to premiere next Tuesday in Fayetteville. It will open in more than 400 theaters nationwide next Friday.