Fat Boy Is Bullied By His Teammates Until He Becomes The Best Football Player, Becoming All-American

the movie starts in Harrison Arkansas 1989 a boy named Brandon is baptized his mother says she's proud of him Brandon complains to his mother because people keep calling him fat but his mother encourages him by saying that God had a reason to make him that way besides he doesn't need to take what people say for granted because only God knows what is best for him his older brother Marty takes picture of Brandon when a man approaches him and congratulates him with Brandon's baptism congratulations on your son's baptism Mom I'm getting tired of this we're only

17 years apart it is obvious that we are brothers One Day visiting his mom Marty finds warning letters from a gas company in her mailbox Marty is fed up with his brother who never does anything but sit on the couch watching TV while stuffing his mouth with snacks oh hi Marty mama oh come on you think it's such a good idea for a 12-year-old boy to be sitting on the couch all day eating chips and cheesecake for a 12-year-old boy Brandon has a bigger body than boys his age no matter what Marty tells him Brandon

doesn't budge and kept doing what he liked with a smirk on his face while looking at American football players on the television Brandon suddenly says that he wants to be just like them I'm going to play for the Arkansas Razer backs his mother just supports whatever Brandon wants to do I believe you honey but if you want to be a Razer back You' got a lot of work to do at school Brandon joins a football team during a motivational speech before the game the coach ask kids who wants to play NFL everyone raises their hands

and Brandon even jumps up in front of the coach when kids from starting lineup runs on the field Brandon stays on the bench overhearing how coach mumbles to himself 50 million kids in America and they all think they're going pro boy they're stupid during the game one of the main players got injured so the coach orders Brandon to jump into the game his mother and brother are excited to see him on the field after the whistle Brandon easily gets to a quarterback and grabs his leg like a dagistan UFC fighter but instead of taking him

down Brandon just holds his leg letting his opponent to give a pass the coach scolds Brandon with all his anger leaving the audience in shock BW you were never playing defense again ever ever get your fat ass off this field Marty and his mother who was watching it that time are also ridiculed by other Spectators a high school coach named coach Ty who had been watching the game approaches Brandon afterward he offers encouragement telling Brandon that to improve he must be the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave coach Ty promises that

with hard work Brandon could play for his high school team after practice Marty is infuriated to see their father waiting to pick Brandon up he resents his father for the turmoil his addiction brought to their family not one drop you understand me you screw up I don't care what Brandon says you'll never see him again that evening Brandon enjoys his time with his father until the man discovers a bottle of bourbon in a box and loses control the next morning Brandon finds him drunk in his bedroom grumbling and scaring the boy frightened Brandon calls Marty

to take him home Marty will you please come get me upon arriving their father pleads with Marty not to tell their mother about the incident fearing she would never let him see Brandon again Marty filled with anger sternly tells his father to stay out of their lives years later we see Brandon on the high school football team under coach Tyson's guidance hey guys I told you lately that I love you I'll get back to y'all on that true to his commitment Brandon is always the first to arrive at practice even before the coach he confides

in coach Ty that while other guys have natural talent for football he struggles for every game doubting his path he wonders aloud if football is truly what God intends for him Coach Ty reassures him so one guy gets $10,000 handed to him and another guy has to work for it now they both got $10,000 but the second guy gained a whole lot more along the way than just the money he shares exciting news with Brandon he has arranged for him to meet the offensive line coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks named coach Bender although it's only

an unofficial visit coach Ty has described Brandon as a diamond in the rough a few days later the burlsworth brothers arrive at the University of Arkansas for an unofficial meeting with the offensive line coach Marty warns Brandon not to get his hopes up pointing out that if the team were truly interested they would have made the visit official however Brandon remains undeterred seeing this as his Pathway to the NFL Marty attempts to engage coach Bender in conversation but the coach is skeptical about Brandon's prospects with many players vying for scholarships coach Bender expresses reluctance to

help noting that Brandon still has the physique of a high school player and lacks the weight needed for college football I'm sorry you're just not big enough thank you coach I can get bigger you want want to walk on pay your own way we certainly won't stop you we can always use a warm body on the scout team to hold blocking dummies and if it'll make you feel any better I'll even make you an invited walk on but I want to make one thing absolutely clear there ain't no way you're ever going to play not

here not at this school undaunted Brandon asserts his determination to grow bigger and immediately buy several packs of snacks you got to be kidding me fueled by his dreams Brandon intensifies his training regimen coach ta continues to inspire the team with his insightful speeches emphas izing that achieving big goals requires hard work I told you all lately that I love you you well I have to get back to you on one day coach Ty visits Brandon's home with exciting news he has secured a scholarship offer for Brandon from Arkansas Tech University while the family celebrates

Brandon is visibly conflicted torn between his dream and reality in a dramatic moment he tear up the scholarship letter declaring his intent to join the Razer at the University of Arkansas despite coach Ty highlighting the family's Financial struggle what aren't you the one who told me it doesn't matter what other people think it only matters what I think ultimately upon High School graduation Brandon receives the same offer during the ceremony has accepted a scholarship to play football at Arkansas Tech University the family has resolved that he will attend Arkansas Tech but Brandon boldly announces his

plan to walk on at the University of Arkansas ready to leave immediately his determination angers Marty who scolds him for not considering the family's Financial hardships as Brandon tries to start his car to leave it fails prompting Marty's mockery looks like you're not going anywhere there cheesecake while they father watches silently from a distance one evening Brandon overhears his mom discussing a new loan over the phone realizing his aspirations may have pushed the family's finances to the brink this Revelation prompts him to reconsider his decisions as he meticulously tapes the torn scholarship offer back together

his mother approaches with news his father will help fix the car and she has managed to secure a second mortgage however it will only cover one year of education meaning Brandon must secure a scholarship during that time to continue are going to be the first burlsworth to get a degree filled with gratitude and determination Brandon assures her he will make the most of the year to obtain a scholarship and repay her I'm going to earn a scholarship and I'll pay back every penny whatever it takes I know you will cuz I'm going to need it

a few days later Brandon's entire family along with Coach Ty see him off the drive to the campus is a manageable 90 minutes from home Marty supports him by giving him a cell phone ensuring Brandon can reach out whenever needed upon arriving at his dream campus and starting his training with the football team Brandon faces ridicule from other new players for his size as the scales tip at 330 lbs despite coach Bender's earlier comment about him being underweight for the team it seems Brandon misunderstood the coach hadn't intended for him to gain excess weight you

said I wasn't big enough last fall you telling me you put on 85 lbs in one year that's got to be some kind of record well I don't know whether congratulate you or put you on life support 50% body fatting exactly what I had in mind coach Bender introduces a new team policy scholarship players can delegate tasks to walk- on players which means Brandon will be running errands you two are rooming together moreover Walk-Ons like him have separate locker rooms underscoring The Divide when coach Bender reviews Brandon's Player information form and finds no mention of

a father he looks visibly puzzled adding another layer of complexity to Brandon's challenges during a grueling training session Brandon struggles with his performance his excess body fat hindering his Mobility this makes him the target of ridicule among his teammates despite this coach Bender notices Brandon's Relentless effort and decides to advocate for him to the team coach when are you going to learn it is not about strength and size it is about footwork after practice as coach Bender gathers the players he shares a pivotal insight football isn't just about strength and size it's about mastering footwork

from the bleachers Marty watches discreetly coach Bender explains that while many believe the backs and receivers are the most skilled due to their natural Talent it's actually the linemen who are the true skill players because their abilities are learned not inate interrupted by the team coach questioning his investment in Brandon coach Bender asserts his belief in giving everyone a chance we just might find a diamond in a rough later coach Bender announces that the head coach summons the top lineman and the rest will be red shirting this year Brandon is devastated realizing he might lose

his chance at a scholarship this year and with only his mother's loan covering one year his future at the university is in Jeopardy scholarship oh boy none is are getting the scholarship but what you are doing is helping the team get ready every week and in that regard you are invaluable so I want you to hold your heads High post practice Brandon confronts coach Bender asserting his determination to secure a scholarship by Year's end Coach Bender offers a glimmer of hope suggesting that if Brandon perseveres he'll be allowed to dress for the final game however

he warns that final evaluations for spring will determine his future on the team listen Brandon you should be real proud of yourself for what you've been able to accomplish so far I am that evening as Brandon's teammates prepare for a party they mockingly invite him poking fun at his sober habits and tidiness after organizing his desk Brandon leaves only to return for forgotten keys he overhears his teammates mocking his meticulousness in close relationship with his mother calling him a mama's boy has he gone even a single week without running back home to his mom and

I swear I think that kid is a robot you know he follows the exact same schedule every single day he's like if Rayman and c3p had a love CH no Rayman and c3p are much cooler than that Fat Geek stung by their words Brandon leaves the room deciding to meet his mother halfway home I thought you said I wasn't fat mom you're not fat you're just a big old boy Brandon confides in his mother that he won't be able to secure the scholarship this year she's already informed by Marty but remains optimistic soothing Brandon with

the thought that if he can dress for the final gain they'll capture memorable photos to show his future grandkids before parting she reminds him to watch out for big trucks on the road and to pray daily during a practice session Brandon unexpectedly tackles a scholarship player to the ground coach Bender publicly rebukes Brandon for the incident criticizing him for potentially harming a key team player and declaring it a waste of time I don't know why I keep letting your f awkward ass stay here anyway but I'm about done some people were made to play football

and some weren't he also chastises the scholarship player for failing to outmatch the walk-on after cooling down coach Bender pulls Brandon aside telling him that he's just doing his job and he doesn't really know if he belongs there or not he then encourages Brandon to lose the excess weight promising to help him build muscle in place of fat motivated by the coach's guidance Brandon doubles down on his efforts accustomed to a strict schedule Brandon easily follows all the instructions of the coach if I can teach my son how to walk I can teach you these

steps but Brandon still finds it difficult to work out in the gym Marty regularly visits to support his brother's training efforts Brandon starts each day at 5:00 a.m. with prayer fueling his drive and Rapid progress as he sheds pounds and inches closer to his physical goals even his initially skeptical teammates begin to respect his dedication and precision look at this my man Brandon dude just walk on the grass one rainy day as Brandon perseveres through his training the head coach Witnesses his determination and admits his initial misjudgment over time Brandon surpasses his teammates in nearly

every exercise so you you let the turret beat you ultimately achieving his Target weight what did it coach there it is right there for you amazing during a practice session Brandon is selected to face off against Nathan one of the top scholarship players the crowd Snickers and even coach Bender advises Brandon to Simply do his best and avoid embarrassment not going to beat him he's the best we got you just lost all that weight but if you remember your steps he won't embarrass you yes sir however when the whistle blows Brandon effortlessly pushes Nathan out

of the cage stunning everyone into silence and catching the coach off guard encouraged by the unexpected turn of events coach orders a repeat this time Brandon ejects Nathan even more swiftly earning cheers from The Spectators and visibly embarrassing Nathan coach Bender unable to contain a smile chastises Nathan for being bested by the walk-on you just got your butt kicked by a won coach I've played against wons that is no Walker witnessing this the head coach approaches Bender lamenting that they've reached their scholarship limit later that evening Brandon's roommate Grant extends an unexpected invitation to grab

a bike with him initially puzzled Brandon agrees only to find a group including several girls waiting in his room can I can I speak to you please yes you can you tell me this was a date it's not a date okay we're just going to hang out what's the matter with you anyway don't you think she looks good yeah she looks real good that's what I thought they head to a cafe and enjoy Lively conversation Nathan deciding to play a prank orders Brandon a strawberry shake laced with alcohol knowing full well that Brandon abstains from

drinking after Brandon unknowingly consumes the drink and shares that he won't be able to return next year due to scholarship constraints the mood dampens despite this Brandon expresses gratitude for the memories and fun times with his teammates which causes Nathan to regret his actions just then a waitress informs the group that they're not serving any more alcohol for the night exposing the prank disappointed Brandon leaves the cafet followed by his concerned friends in an effort to clear his head Brandon begins running on The Stadium track he won't talk to me now he's trying to run

off the alcohol or something so let him run grant let the cry baby run Grant joins him first showing solidarity just cuz this guy thinks he's better than us doesn't mean we need to agree with him I'll leave you here man I swear to eventually even Nathan joins them to support Brandon after a few minutes the trio reconciles restoring their camaraderie the day of the final game arrives and Brandon is thrilled as he hears the Hogs call echoing from the field the entire Stadium vibrating with the crowd's Roaring support his mother and Marty are there

cheering him on Mama do you think this one game is worth 20 years of debt to you my son knows I have faith after an exhilarating game a somber Grant informs Brandon that coach Bender wants him to clean out his locker coach want you to clean out your locker clean it yeah he said take everything and meet him up in his office uniform too be right there however it turns out to be a ploy coach Bender has actually assigned Brandon a scholarship Locker Overjoyed Brandon calls home to announce that he has indeed earned a scholarship

leaving his family Overjoyed his teammates break into a song celebrating his hard-earned success in 1997 during a critical match against Florida Brandon experiences sudden blurred vision impacting his performance he mistakes ly blocks the wrong player contributing to the team's loss I said 96 9 56 you got me amidst The Barrage of questions from the Press aimed at the quarterback about the team's poor performance Brandon steps forward to take responsibility admitting that it was his fault excuse me today was my fault I couldn't get my man so Clinton couldn't do his job he's the best quarterback

Arkansas's had in 20 years he tells the coach that something is wrong with his eyes returning to the locker room wearing thick prominent glasses his teammates jestingly call him Clark Kent play football man we don't SCBA undeterred Brandon asserts confidently oh I'll have to look good to play good in a subsequent game tensions run high as the team struggles and the quarterback becomes visibly agitated demonstrating his leadership Brandon steps in to calm him down showcasing not only his resilience but also his ability to lead under pressure after a demanding game coach Bender pulls Brandon aside

to deliver d stressing news his father has been hospitalized with lung cancer and has lost his sight despite this Brandon insists on not missing practice coach Bender reminds him that football while important is only a part of life and family must come first hating this advice Brandon and Marty visit their father in the hospital during the visit their father expresses his regrets and implores Brandon to take good care of his mother after a heartfelt prayer from Marty and Brandon their father sadly passes away the season wors is for the Arkansas Razorbacks who endure a series

of losses leading to frustrated fans throwing trash at the players during games go home raise your hand you guys are terrible in response to the tumultuous season the university decides to change the head coach and plans to rebuild the team while watching news of the coaching chams Brandon seeks advice from coach bender on reaching the NFL is there any way you think I could make it to the NFL sure easy just did it you make all America next year you're a luck well how do I do that dad's kidding Brandon with only one year left

is a senior and with the incoming coach planning to rebuild the team Bender Wars Brandon that there's a chance Brandon not even get to play this year he explains the Stark reality less than 2% of college athletes make it to the NFL Brandon believes that doing his best is enough but coach Bender reminds him that football is a team sport Scouts usually focus on teams that consistently win Brandon stays late at the training ground the next day where the new head coach discovers him Brandon pleads with the coach not to rebuild the team arguing it

could ruin Ru in their careers the coach shares his own pressures if the team fails he faces dismissal you saw what happened to you last coach didn't you moved by Brandon's commitment he agrees to consider keeping the team intact if they promise to work harder realizing he can't reach his goal alone Brandon packs up everyone's gear Brandon I'm not going home till Friday you're not going home at all none of us are what yo y b what are you doing and tells the offensive lineman to follow him okay three people just blew a circuit the

four friends arrive at their summer townhouse only to find two haters living next door you boys going to make this neighborhood suck too you guys are terrible I'll be right back hey never mind them we start working tomorrow Brandon wakes everyone up at 3:00 a.m. and drags them to workout Brandon's motivation is strong enough to inspire not only himself but also his teammates hey Lucas get down here no absolutely not come on Lucas you can be our linebacker no no big I'm a receiver pushing them to work harder seeing the dedication of the four friends

the haters begin to change their minds they might not be that bad this year as summer ends the coaches are struck by the team's transformation the head coach impressed by Brandon's leadership publicly acknowledges his belief in him and the positive influence he's had on the team you believe how hard they're working things like a whole new team this year which I can say it's all C of me you know that's not true inspired by his example the Razer backs see an unprecedented influx of 57 Walk-Ons this year the season kicks off with a riveting game

against Alabama where the revitalized Arkansas Razer back dominate the field in his excitement Marty forgets to attach the lens to his camera until the real Marty burlsworth reminds him to do so might want to put that lens on the camera before you miss the whole game after handing Alabama their worst defeat the team celebrates their Victory sir your son sure is a heck of a player thank you all right son smile Marty snaps a picture of the friends in front of the scoreboard and Brandon declares it their new tradition Brandon not only motivates his friends

to work harder but also encourages them to pray together every evening the head coach coins the term Burl's way to describe hard work and determination one day when a sidewalk is blocked by workers Brandon's friends expect him to break his principles by stepping on the grass but he stays true to his path no what's he going to do no that's my boy a few weeks later the entire team prays with Brandon at coach Bender's House Brandon becomes a real star and even the haters start rooting for the team at every game kids begin cosplaying as

burlsworth wearing thick glasses in his honor the teams in Brandon's popularity grows rapidly as they win one game after another always taking photos in front of the scoreboard one day after a game Brandon is swarmed by reporters with questions about the upcoming Final against the best team in the league his friends wait for him for the traditional photo but the interview drags arm so they head to the showers bursting in Brandon insists they put their dirty uniforms back arm for the picture here we go guys ready Chee the Journey of the Arkansas Razer backs that

year becomes legendary in the in the World of Sports with Brandon emerging as the star the greatest walk-on story in the history of college football finally it's November 14th 1998 Tennessee the final match everyone has been waiting for the game is intense with a narrow score difference Brandon executes a perfect takedown and offers a hand to help up a Tennessee player the score is Arkansas 24 Tennessee 22 and the atmosphere is electric during Tennessee's offensive drive a Razer back player intercepts the ball and the team prepares for their final off they're already celebrating their imminent

Victory believing Tennessee has no chance all Arkansas has to do is run out the clock the Razer backs are getting ready for the Gatorade shower when disaster strikes the quarterback trips over Brandon and fumbles the ball no one can believe they've just lost their chance at Victory in disbelief Brandon watches as Tennessee scores the winning touchdown after the game Brandon approaches the quarterback and apologizes for tripping him insisting on telling the press the truth so Clint doesn't take the blame but it wasn't your fault barles well Falling Down is a part of the game doesn't

give me license to drop the ball coach Ty also comes to support Brandon hey Brandon I Told You Lately That I Love You No coach you haven't well I do that weekend Brandon meets with his family as always his mom Comforts him after saying their goodbyes they hear on the radio that Brandon burlsworth has been named a first team allam Brandon is quickly recruited by the Indianapolis Colts you better order a truckload with those ugly glasses I think they're pretty cool yeah they look a lot better on him after officially joining the team he attends

the Colts mini camp as the youngest player working out with his usual intensity which irritates some of his new teammates chill out he said take it easy what's wrong with you I didn't hear the whistle unexpectedly Brandon is immediately named a starter for the next season he feels both happy and strange as for the first time something he wanted came easily until now everything had required hard work Brandon may have taken me a few seconds to say you're a starter but it was years of your hard work that gave me a reason to say it

later Brandon returns to Arkansas to see his coach and teammates he's invited to attend the ring ceremony but declines explaining that he promised his mom he'd take her to church that evening and then he'll head to Indianapolis to sign his contract Brandon admits that while he used to miss home when he first arrived in Arkansas now he'll miss the university and his team who become his new family after that Brandon drives home a few hours later Marty tries to call him but there's no answer feeling uneasy Marty heads to his mother's house when he arrives

he's shocked to see police cars part outside he hears his mother's heart-wrenching cries from inside the police have come to deliver the devastating news Brandon had been in an accident and tragically it claimed his life for a moment Marty's world stops Everything feels unreal but he's jolted back to reality when his mother screams his name in anguish none of them ever imagined Brandon would be taken so soon at just 22 right after achieving his dream of joining the NFL the Brandon burlsworth story was unfolding like a fairy tale but yesterday afternoon burlsworth died in an

auto accident police say burlsworth Subaru crossed the center line and was hit by a semi at the funeral a man approaches Marty lamenting the unfairness of it all he questions his faith in God saying Brandon was a hard-working kind person who never even got to enjoy his success wasn't he just days away from signing could have set his mom up for life he just signed that contract got those benefits all he wanted to do was take care of his mama honor thy father and mother isn't that one of the Ten Commandments Marty what God breaking

his own rules now Angry Marty chases the man away later Marty confides in his mother questioning why God would take Brandon away so soon when he had worked so hard and was finally on the verge of success his mother though grieving responds with faith saying they are too small to understand God's larger plan but she believes there is purpose in everything do you remember when Brandon had to get those ridiculous looking glasses he thought it was terrible at first but it turned out to be a good thing made him stand out Marty then notices a

flower arrangement on the football field that spells out We Trust something he hadn't seen before while on the field this moment helps him understand his mother's words and motivates him to honor Brandon's memory by spreading his priorities since 1999 Marty has run the Brandon burlsworth football camps dedicated to teaching Brandon's values of Faith Family academics and football the University of Arkansas Awards 18 burlsworth academic scholarships each year along with one scholarship for the most outstanding walk-on player the Brandon burlsworth Foundation provides free care to thousands of underprivileged children and gives them free tickets to every

Razer backs and Colts home game in 2010 the burlsworth trophy was established awarded annually to the most outstanding player in America who began as a walk-on Brandon's Locker has been encased in glass since 1999 and remains a reminder to Razer back's players to this day