Well, it finally happened. The Chicago Bears made a flurry of roster moves earlier this week as they trimmed their squad down to the mandatory 53 players. Among the obvious locks was rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, who has been a standout in training camp and preseason. But with the roster cuts came a decision that had both fans and media members wondering what Burden would do.
The news? Luther Burden III has decided to switch his jersey number to 13. For many, including myself, it’s a decision that brings mixed feelings. Number 87, which Burden wore during training camp, was unique and somewhat of a lost art in today’s game. It had a certain aura and made him stand out on the field. On the other hand, number 13 has its own history with the Bears—both Johnny Knox and Kevin White wore it in the past, which might make some fans uneasy. That said, great receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. have made 13 iconic, so there’s certainly precedent.
While the number 87 era for Luther Burden was brief, it was a fun chapter for fans. The switch to 13 was expected, but it still stings a bit to see the change. Regardless, Burden’s career is just getting started, and fans will be watching closely as he makes his mark in Chicago.
