Luther “Ticky” Burden, a standout basketball player in the 1970s, is the grandfather of Luther Burden III, a professional American football wide receiver.
Ticky’s grandson, Luther Burden III, is a rising star in American football, recently selected 39th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Bears.
He just signed a historic rookie contract, a fully guaranteed $10.965 million deal, making him the first No. 39 pick in NFL history to receive full guarantees.
His signing completed the Bears’ 2025 draft class just in time for training camp.
Luther Burden III And Ticky Burden Share The Same Bloodline!
Luther Burden III, 21, and Luther “Ticky” Burden are connected through both family lineage and athletic legacy.
They represent two generations of professional athlete who made their mark in different sports.
Though they played different sports, both gained national attention and carried the Burden name with pride and excellence across generations.
Ticky excelled in basketball, while Luther III is now rising in the world of American football.
In the same way, Luther Burden III’s father, Luther Burden II, was also involved in sports.
He played college basketball at Saint Louis University and even drew interest from the Indiana Pacers, who encouraged him to join the Continental Basketball Association to refine his skills.
Though his professional basketball career didn’t take off, Luther II’s early involvement in sports laid the groundwork for the Burden family’s legacy.
After facing personal challenges, including a four-year prison sentence for selling drugs, he rebuilt his life through various jobs.
Through it all, he’s been there for his son, encouraging him, guiding him, and proudly watching him succeed in football.
Luther III made his name in football, becoming a standout wide receiver at Missouri.
He played college football at the University of Missouri, where he earned First-Team All-SEC honors in 2023 and 2024.
Over three seasons, he recorded 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns, plus five more scores via rushing and punt returns.
Now, as Luther III shines in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, with a record-setting rookie contract.
Ticky Burden’s Legacy Lives On Through His Grandson, Luther Burden III, Now Booming In Football!
Ticky was a basketball star in the 1970s, playing for Team USA and later in the NBA with the Knicks.
He played college basketball at the University of Utah, where he was one of the top scorers in the country, and later represented Team USA in the 1974 FIBA World Championship.
Ticky went on to play professionally for the Virginia Squires in the ABA and the New York Knicks in the NBA.
Though his career was cut short by injuries and personal challenges, he later found purpose as a mentor and coach in North Carolina.
Tragically, he passed away on October 29, 2015, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at the age of 62.
Sadly, he did not live to see his grandson, Luther Burden III, rise to national fame in football.
At the time of Ticky’s passing, Luther III was just 11 years old and still years away from his breakout performances in high school, college, and eventually the NFL.
While Ticky didn’t witness his grandson’s accomplishments firsthand, the legacy he built as an athlete and mentor continues to echo through Luther III’s journey.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Luther Burden III, son of Gaye Union, has nine sisters, making him one of ten children.
- Ticky Burden scored 20.2 points per game for Team USA during the 1974 FIBA World Championship.
