Bears' Luther Burden III Took No. 87 Jersey Because 'All the Good Numbers Are Gone'

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III is wearing No. 87 at minicamp for one very simple reason

"All the good numbers are gone," Burden III said, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

Burden III wore the No. 3 at both Mizzou and in high school at Cardinal Ritter College Prep. The No. 3 he has worn throughout his career holds personal significance, as it’s a tribute to his namesake, per Sports Illustrated's Joey Van Zummeran.

However, the No. 3 is retired by the Bears in honor of Hall of Famer Bronko Nagurski, one of 15 numbers the franchise has retired—the most of any team in the NFL.

During his breakout sophomore season in 2023, Burden III recorded 1,212 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Last season, his production dipped, as he gained 676 receiving yards, added 115 rushing yards, and totaled eight touchdowns.

The former Missouri wide receiver was selected by the Bears 39th overall in last month's draft.

After being selected in the second round, Burden III sounds motivated by what he views as a draft-day slide.

"That's staying with me forever," Burden III told reporters. "Everybody who passed up on me got to pay."