Just in time for football season, GREATER the movie is coming to theaters. GREATER is the Brandon Burlsworth story. His life and legacy are truly inspirational. Burlsworth has been called the greatest walk-on in the history of football, and his story of perseverance, dedication, and faith is one that needed to be told. The story of the faithful underdog who stuck it out, and touched the hearts of those who knew him.
I shared on my Instagram this past weekend that we had the honor to prescreen GREATER from the comfort of my living room. My son, who’ll be starting his first year of high school football this season, gathered several of his friends for a movie night. He said “football movie” and they were in. And my goodness, who knew football players and their buddies are camera-shy? I tried to snap a few photos, and they dodged.
But teenagers are amazing aren’t they? My son was able to get the movie to play on our TV through his XBox, so it was a nice way to view it.
Anyway, I’m sure they anticipated just another football movie. They got so much more than that. I don’t think they planned on leaving in tears, but we were all wiping our eyes by the end.
I’d never heard Brandon Burlsworth’s story before watching GREATER. When I learned that it’s based on the true story of his life, other than watching the movie trailer, I purposely didn’t research anything about him before viewing it. All I knew was that it’s an inspirational movie and I wanted to be surprised and get the full scope of the message that was to be told.
Without giving away spoilers, what I received from this movie was truth. Inspiration to live life in truth and in fullness, even and especially in the midst of difficulty. The Brandon Burlsworth story is one of personal growth, integrity, and honesty. And, even truth in heartbreak. The truth is that we have to have faith and chose to trust that life is bigger than what we see or understand. That a greater picture and bigger plan is happening around us. You realize that you can’t have that trust without faith. Brandon Burlsworth had that faith, and his story inspires others to have it too.
As a mother of an athlete, watching this movie with him touched my heart especially. I want my son to have that same level of integrity and truth. He started playing football in the 4th grade. I remember having reservations, wondering what the coaches and other players would be like. Would his character grow or would be become hardened? Football is a tough sport, and I knew no one would go easy on him. Nor did I want them to.
He’s had some fabulous coaches, but his second year playing was exceptional. This was the last year this particular coach was going to do it, he was retiring afterwards. He’d coached his own son until he aged out of the league, yet returned year after year to keep teaching the younger boys. He always taught them to have a high level of integrity and good character. He put high value on not only the game, but also on school. They had to bring in their report cards, and if their grades were poor, he’d make them run, but also take them aside and see how he could help.
That year, the boys won their entire division championship. I saw my son bloom that year, and he’s walked in that same level of integrity since. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve seen him live out the lessons his coach taught him.
I am thankful that there are movies like this being made, that encourage and build up, and teach young people that there are so many aspects to life. Not just what they see right in front of them. That there is a bigger picture, and that faith and truth will help them through life. I want him to have the same faith that this football player did, and to be encouraged by his life story to do greater in life.
I feel like GREATER will speak to those young people who have giant dreams. It will teach them that there are moments in our lives, both good and bad that will define them. It’s a message that adults can take to heart as well.
GREATER stars Chris Severio as Brandon Burlsworth, Neal McDonough as Marty Burlsworth, and many others.
Watch the official GREATER movie trailer, and please take your teens and young adults to see the movie on August 26. I encourage you to check your local theater to see if they’ll be playing it, and request it if not.
You can also find GREATER the movie on social media:
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and GREATER Productions. But all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #GREATERMovie #GreaterTheMovie http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
I love movies that are based on a true story. My athlete son will want to watch this one