Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden has revealed an unusual test he set for his now-girlfriend, Kendall Minglae, during their first encounter, where he deliberately downplayed his football talents.
The Bench Player Deception
In a candid video shared by Rain Drops Media, Minglae explained how Burden, now a promising NFL prospect, completely misled her about his sporting prowess when they first met. "He told me he was a bench player when I met him, 'cause I didn't know nothing about football," she recounted. Burden claimed his position was literally "the bench," hiding the fact he was actually the number one wide receiver in the entire country during his time at the University of Missouri.
The wide receiver then invited her to a game. Despite believing she was going to watch a reserve player, Minglae attended to support him. "He had like five touchdowns that game," she said, after which she quickly realised his true elite status. However, it is worth noting that during his three-year college career at Missouri, Burden never actually scored more than two touchdowns in a single game.
From College Star to NFL Rookie
Luther Burden was a highly-touted five-star recruit coming out of high school and developed into an elite college player at Missouri. The Chicago Bears selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. His path to professional football, however, began with a personal life built on a humorous falsehood.
While the viral tweet suggests the couple met in college, some comments under the video indicate they may have first connected during their high school years. Regardless of the exact timing, the story highlights a relationship that started with Burden's modest, if entirely fabricated, self-introduction.
A Promising Start Despite Challenges
Burden's transition to the professional league has not been without its hurdles. His rookie season with the Bears was challenging, beginning with a hamstring injury that hampered his early acclimatisation to the NFL's demands.
Nevertheless, he persevered to post a respectable debut year. Burden was one of only four Bears pass-catchers to secure over 650 receiving yards, finishing his regular season with 652 yards and two touchdowns.
His contributions have continued into the postseason. During the NFC Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers, Burden caught three passes for 42 yards, helping his team advance. The Bears are now set to face the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional round, with Burden's role likely to grow as he gains more experience.
This charming off-field story provides a humanising glimpse into the life of a young athlete who, despite the pressures and spotlight of professional sport, values genuine personal connection—even if he initially engineered a quirky scenario to find it.
