10-05-2025
Why Bears rookie Luther Burden III chose No. 87
The Chicago Bears kicked off their rookie minicamp on Friday at Halas Hall, and the rookie jersey numbers were officially revealed. Second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III chose No. 87 -- but it wasn't his first choice.
Burden notably wore No. 3 in college at Missouri and in high school at Cardinal Ritter College Prep. It's a tribute to his namesake. But that number was off the table in Chicago, as it was worn by Bears Hall of Famer Bronko Nagurski and later retired.
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"I mean, all the good numbers were gone so..." Burden said with a laugh.
He's not lying. The Bears have officially retired 14 numbers (3, 5, 7, 28, 34, 40, 41, 42, 51, 56, 61, 66, 77, 89), and there are plenty more that could be retired (23, 50, 54, 95, 99). But there are only so many numbers available for a 53-man roster.
Notable players who previously wore No. 87 include Ed O'Bradovich (1962-1971), Emery Moorehead (1982-88), Tom Waddle (1989-1994) and Muhsin Muhammad (2005-07).
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Why Bears rookie Luther Burden III chose No. 87
