Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Luther Burden III’s family has played a major role in his journey from St. Louis, Missouri, to the NFL. The Chicago Bears wide receiver was born to Luther Burden II and Gaye Union and grew up in a large family with nine sisters, including his youngest sister, Robin. His father was a successful college basketball player, while his grandfather, Luther “Ticky” Burden, played professional basketball in the NBA.
Born on December 12, 2003, in St. Louis, Missouri, Luther Burden III played college football for the Missouri Tigers before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Beyond his football achievements, he has attracted attention for his relationship with longtime girlfriend Kendall Minglae, to whom he became engaged in 2026. Here is everything publicly known about Luther Burden III’s fiancée, children, parents and siblings.
Luther Burden III’s Girlfriend: Who Is Kendall Minglae?
Luther Burden III’s longtime girlfriend is Kendall Minglae, who became his fiancée following their engagement in 2026.
The couple has been romantically involved since at least 2023, when Burden was playing college football for the University of Missouri.
Their relationship became publicly recognizable through photographs and social media posts showing Kendall supporting the talented wide receiver during his college career.
In September 2023, photographs showed the couple together on the sidelines of a Missouri Tigers football game, with Kendall holding Burden’s helmet.
They subsequently began sharing additional moments from their relationship through Instagram and a joint YouTube channel called Luther & Kenda.
Kendall has supported Burden during several important stages of his athletic career, including his success with the Missouri Tigers and his transition to the Chicago Bears.
How Did Luther Burden III and Kendall Minglae Meet?
Luther Burden III and Kendall Minglae’s relationship attracted attention in January 2026 after Kendall shared a humorous story about how they met.
During a video interview circulated by Rain Drops Media, Kendall explained that she initially knew very little about American football.
When she asked Burden what position he played, he jokingly told her that he was a bench player.
At the time, Burden was already one of the most talented high school and college football prospects in the United States.
Kendall initially believed his explanation because she was unfamiliar with his athletic achievements.
However, when she attended one of his games, she quickly discovered that her boyfriend was actually a star wide receiver.
She recalled watching him score multiple touchdowns, making it obvious that he was far more than a reserve player.
The story attracted considerable attention among Chicago Bears fans, who enjoyed learning about the couple’s early relationship.
Although the anecdote became popular online, the exact date and circumstances of their first meeting have not been fully established through independent reporting.
Are Luther Burden III and Kendall Minglae Engaged?
Yes. Luther Burden III and Kendall Minglae announced their engagement in late May 2026.
According to a report published by Heavy on June 1, 2026, the Chicago Bears wide receiver proposed to his longtime girlfriend during a romantic celebration.
The couple announced the engagement on social media, with Kendall sharing photographs from the occasion.
The proposal featured an elaborate arrangement of red roses forming a heart-shaped arch.
Kendall also displayed her engagement ring in several photographs, while a specially decorated cake celebrated her acceptance of Burden’s proposal.
The announcement generated congratulations from Chicago Bears supporters and people who had followed the couple’s relationship since their college years.
The engagement represented another important personal milestone for Burden as he prepared for his second NFL season.
As of now, Kendall Minglae is publicly identified as Luther Burden III’s fiancée. A wedding has not been independently confirmed.
Luther Burden III’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
Luther Burden III has no publicly confirmed children. There are no reliable public reports identifying a son or daughter belonging to the Chicago Bears wide receiver.
Although Burden has shared important personal milestones involving his fiancée and family, he has not publicly announced becoming a father.
His interviews about life away from football have primarily focused on his parents, siblings, romantic relationship and the St. Louis community where he grew up.
Burden has participated in several charitable activities involving children, including free football camps in Missouri and Illinois.
However, these community initiatives are unrelated to his own parental status.
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Luther Burden III has biological or adopted children.
Luther Burden III’s Parents: Meet Luther Burden II and Gaye Union
Luther Burden III was born to Luther Burden II and Gaye Union, whose identities are confirmed in his official University of Missouri athletics biography.
His parents raised a large family in the St. Louis area, including Luther and his nine sisters.
Both parents played important roles in supporting his athletic development and helping him navigate the challenges associated with becoming a highly recruited football prospect.
Luther Burden III’s Father: Luther Burden II
Luther Burden II, also known as Luther Burden Jr., is the father of Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III.
Before becoming known as the father of an NFL player, Luther Burden II established himself as a talented basketball player at Saint Louis University.
He played college basketball for the Saint Louis Billikens during the 1980s and became one of the program’s productive guards.
According to college basketball records, Burden II averaged 19.6 points per game during the 1984-85 season.
His performances generated professional basketball interest, including attention from the Indiana Pacers.
Although he did not establish a career in the NBA, his experience in competitive basketball helped him understand the discipline and dedication required to become an elite athlete.
That background became important when his son began developing into a highly regarded football and basketball prospect.
Burden II encouraged his son’s athletic ambitions while helping him navigate the recruiting process.
During Luther III’s high school career, his father participated in discussions involving major college football programs interested in recruiting him.
When his son eventually committed to the University of Missouri in October 2021, Luther Burden II attended the announcement alongside Gaye Union.
The decision was particularly meaningful because it allowed the family to remain relatively close to Luther while he pursued college football.
How Luther Burden II Influenced His Son’s Football Career
Luther Burden II recognized his son’s athletic talent at an early age.
In a 2022 interview with CBS Sports, the former basketball player recalled an extraordinary youth football performance in which Luther III scored five touchdowns during a scrimmage.
That performance helped establish the nickname “Touchdown Luther,” which followed the young athlete as he developed his football abilities.
His father also helped him understand the importance of making decisions that could benefit his long-term career.
When Burden III received scholarship offers from leading college football programs, including Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma, his family provided guidance throughout the recruiting process.
Rather than simply choosing the most nationally prominent program, Burden decided to remain close to home by attending Missouri.
His father’s involvement demonstrated the importance of family support during one of the most consequential decisions of his early football career.
Luther Burden III’s Mother: Gaye Union
Gaye Union is Luther Burden III’s mother and another important figure in his life.
She raised a large family that includes Luther and nine daughters, creating a household in which family relationships played a central role.
While her son and his father have received considerable attention through their athletic careers, Gaye has generally maintained a more private public profile.
Nevertheless, she has been present during important moments in Luther’s development.
In October 2021, Gaye accompanied her son and Luther Burden II when the highly recruited receiver announced his decision to attend the University of Missouri.
Photographs published by The Kansas City Star showed the family celebrating his commitment.
Her support continued as Burden developed into one of the most productive college wide receivers in the Southeastern Conference.
Although reliable reporting provides limited information about Gaye’s professional occupation, her involvement in her son’s life has been documented throughout his football journey.
Burden has repeatedly acknowledged the importance of his family and the encouragement he receives from his loved ones.
Luther Burden III’s Siblings: Meet His Nine Sisters
Luther Burden III has nine sisters and is the only boy among ten children.
According to reporting published by CBS Sports in 2022, Burden is the second-youngest child in the family.
His unusual position within such a large family has attracted attention because he grew up surrounded by sisters, most of whom are older than him.
Although he has become the family’s most publicly recognizable member through his NFL career, his sisters have generally maintained private lives.
Robin Burden: Luther Burden III’s Youngest Sister
Robin is Luther Burden III’s youngest sister and the youngest child in the family.
Pro Football Network identified Robin as the sibling with whom Burden shares a particularly close relationship.
Because Luther is the second-youngest child, Robin is his only younger sibling.
Growing up in a household with eight older sisters and one younger sister helped shape his experience within the family.
Although Robin has been mentioned in several profiles about Burden’s upbringing, she has not been extensively featured in major media interviews.
As of now, reliable public information about Robin’s education, occupation and personal activities remains limited.
Who Are Luther Burden III’s Other Eight Sisters?
In addition to Robin, Luther Burden III has eight older sisters.
The existence of his nine sisters has been confirmed by CBS Sports and Pro Football Network, although the names and personal biographies of his eight older sisters have not been comprehensively documented by reliable public sources.
Unlike their brother, who gained national recognition through college football and the NFL, most of his siblings have remained outside the media spotlight.
Burden’s position as the second-youngest of ten children meant that he grew up in a large household with numerous older family members.
As of now, there is insufficient verified information to provide individual biographies for all eight older sisters without risking inaccurate identification.
Does Luther Burden III Have a Brother?
No. According to CBS Sports, Luther Burden III is the only son in a family with ten children.
He has nine sisters but no publicly documented brothers.
His status as the only boy is one of the most frequently mentioned details about his family background.
Luther Burden III’s Grandfather: Who Was Luther “Ticky” Burden?
Another notable member of Luther Burden III’s family was his grandfather, Luther Dean “Ticky” Burden, a former professional basketball player.
Born on February 28, 1953, Ticky Burden played college basketball at the University of Utah before beginning his professional career.
He was selected in the 1975 NBA Draft and played professionally for the Virginia Squires in the American Basketball Association and the New York Knicks in the NBA.
During his college career, he became known as an accomplished scoring guard and earned All-American recognition.
His professional basketball career included appearances in both the ABA and NBA during the 1970s.
Ticky Burden died on October 29, 2015, at the age of 62.
The family’s basketball history provides an interesting connection between three generations of athletes: Luther Burden, Luther Burden II and Luther Burden III.
Although his grandfather and father pursued basketball, Luther III eventually established his professional career in American football.
How Luther Burden III’s Family Influenced His NFL Career
Luther Burden III’s journey to the NFL reflects the encouragement and support he received during his upbringing in St. Louis.
His father understood competitive athletics through his basketball career, while his mother and sisters formed an important part of his personal support system.
Burden began attracting attention as a young athlete because of his ability to excel in both basketball and football.
He attended Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis before transferring to East St. Louis Senior High School in Illinois.
During high school, Burden became one of the most highly recruited wide receivers in the United States.
He received scholarship offers from numerous major college football programs and was widely regarded as a five-star prospect.
Despite strong interest from Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma, Burden committed to the University of Missouri in October 2021.
The decision allowed him to represent his home state while staying connected to the St. Louis community.
At Missouri, Burden developed into one of the SEC’s most productive receivers.
During the 2023 season, he recorded 86 receptions for 1,212 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, earning first-team All-SEC recognition.
He received another first-team All-SEC selection following the 2024 season.
After three college seasons, he entered the 2025 NFL Draft.
On April 25, 2025, the Chicago Bears selected Burden with the 39th overall pick in the second round.
He finished his rookie NFL season with 47 receptions for 652 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
His transition to professional football represented another important achievement for a family with a strong athletic background.
Luther Burden III’s Relationship With His Late Mentor Demetrious Johnson
Although Demetrious Johnson was not a member of Luther Burden III’s immediate family, he became an important mentor during the receiver’s development.
Johnson was a former Missouri and NFL football player who dedicated considerable time to supporting young athletes in the St. Louis area.
He had also known Luther Burden II since their high school years.
Johnson helped connect the Burden family with the University of Missouri football program and encouraged Luther III to consider opportunities close to home.
His guidance extended beyond recruiting, emphasizing the importance of helping young people from disadvantaged communities.
Johnson died on December 24, 2022, leaving a lasting impression on Burden and his family.
Following his mentor’s death, Burden continued participating in charitable activities inspired by Johnson’s commitment to community service.
These activities have included free youth football camps at the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club in St. Louis and East St. Louis Senior High School.
Burden has explained that Johnson’s example encouraged him to use his platform to help younger athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luther Burden III’s Family
Who are Luther Burden III’s parents?
Luther Burden III’s parents are Luther Burden II, a former college basketball player at Saint Louis University, and Gaye Union.
Who is Luther Burden III’s girlfriend?
Luther Burden III’s longtime girlfriend is Kendall Minglae. The couple became engaged in 2026 after dating since at least 2023.
Is Luther Burden III married?
As of now, Luther Burden III is publicly reported to be engaged to Kendall Minglae. There is no verified public confirmation that they have married.
Does Luther Burden III have children?
Luther Burden III has no publicly confirmed children and has not announced becoming a father.
How many siblings does Luther Burden III have?
Luther Burden III has nine sisters. He is the second-youngest of ten children and the only boy in his family.
Who is Luther Burden III’s youngest sister?
His youngest sister is Robin, whom Pro Football Network has identified as one of the siblings closest to him.
Does Luther Burden III have a brother?
No. Luther Burden III has no publicly documented brothers. He is the only son among ten children.
What did Luther Burden III’s father do?
His father, Luther Burden II, played college basketball at Saint Louis University during the 1980s and later supported his son’s football development.
Was Luther Burden III’s grandfather an NBA player?
Yes. His grandfather, Luther “Ticky” Burden, played professional basketball for the Virginia Squires in the ABA and the New York Knicks in the NBA.
Where is Luther Burden III’s family from?
Luther Burden III’s family is associated with the St. Louis metropolitan area in Missouri. He grew up in St. Louis and attended high school in both Missouri and nearby East St. Louis, Illinois.
When did Luther Burden III get engaged?
Luther Burden III and Kendall Minglae announced their engagement in late May 2026. Their proposal celebration was reported by Heavy on June 1, 2026.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
