FAYETTEVILLE -- Sean Bedford keeps a busy work schedule as an attorney for an Atlanta firm specializing in patent and intellectual property litigation, but he sets aside time in early December to attend the annual Burlsworth Trophy Luncheon in Springdale.
"I find out the day and mark that off on my calendar and always look forward to coming back to Northwest Arkansas," said Bedford, a former Georgia Tech center. "I wouldn't dream of missing this.
"It's a very special award and recognizes some incredible young men who have overcome long odds. It's a thrill and a delight and an absolute pleasure and honor to be here every year."
Bedford won the first Burlsworth Trophy -- named in honor of former Arkansas All-American offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth and awarded to the nation's top college player who began his career was a walk-on -- in 2010 when he was a senior All-Atlantic Coast Conference center at Georgia Tech.
Law school kept Bedford from attending the next three Burlsworth banquets, but he has been at the past three and has been one of the speakers each time.
"Honestly, this to me is the most meaningful trophy in college sports," Bedford said. "The Heisman Trophy, the Davey O'Brien, the Maxwell, the Biletnikoff, those are all great awards.
"But the Burlsworth Trophy recognizes more than just people with tremendous talent. This recognizes people with tremendous heart. It's a cause that's near and dear to my heart.
"This community should be very proud that this has become the center of what it means to be an exceptional walk-on."
Bedford said it's gratifying to see how the Burlsworth Trophy, which is presented by the Springdale Rotary Club, has grown in stature in seven years.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, who won his second consecutive Burlsworth Trophy Monday, is among five finalists for the Heisman Trophy and also is a finalist for the Maxwell Award and semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award.
The other two Burlsworth Trophy finalists this year -- Washington State quarterback Luke Falk and Northwestern wide receiver Austin Carr -- also have earned national recognition. Falk was a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and is a semifinalist for the O'Brien Award. Carr is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
"It gets bigger and more impressive every year," Bedford said, "and I think it gives these young men the proper respect that they deserve.
"So often these are the guys that don't get noticed and have to toil for so long in relative anonymity. So to see them be celebrated this way -- like it's the most important award there is --I'm happy that they do it justice."
Bedford said he was working overseas earlier this fall when the movie, Greater, which tells the life story of Brandon Burlsworth, was released in theaters. He saw the movie for the first time Sunday after he arrived in Northwest Arkansas.
Burlsworth was killed in April of 1999, shortly after he was picked in the third round of the NFL Draft by Indianapolis Colts.
"Let me just say if you can watch that movie with dry eyes, either you're made of stone or you're a stronger person than I am," Bedford said. "I had tears streaming down my cheeks the whole time.
"It really highlighted to me the essence of what I think makes this award special and what makes these young men special, because each one of these walk-ons can watch that movie and see points along the way and say, 'That happened to me. That person said I should quit. That person said I wasn't good enough.'
"I can remember going through that struggle and having to earn the respect of my teammates the hard way. I think the movie was tremendously well done."
Bedford said he enjoyed watching Greater along with the Burlsworth Trophy finalists, who got to learn more about Brandon's story.
"I think it's a reminder of why he was so important to this community and why he continues to be an inspiration today," Bedford said.
Bedford said during his speech Monday that the first person he saw at Sunday night's reception was Hex Bisbee, a member of the Rotary Club's planning committee.
"Hex Bisbee -- who was the first person I met when I landed to receive the award when I was first here -- gave me a big hug and said, ' Welcome home,' " Bedford said. "Every time I come here, it feels like I'm coming home."
Sports on 12/09/2016