Nate Burleson Biography: Age, Net Worth, Films, Children, Parents, Siblings, Spouse, Awards
Nate Burleson, born Nathaniel Eugene Burleson, is a Canadian-American television host, sports analyst, and former professional football wide receiver who built a successful career across the NFL and American broadcasting.
He spent 11 seasons in the National Football League with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions before moving into television after he retired from professional football.
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He later became widely recognized as a co-host of CBS Mornings, an Emmy Award-winning studio analyst for The NFL Today, and the host of Nickelodeon’s NFL Slimetime.
His broadcasting career has also included work with NFL Network, Extra, and the entertainment program Hollywood Squares.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Nathaniel Eugene Burleson |
| Stage Name: | Nate Burleson |
| Born: | August 19, 1981 (age 45 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality: | Canadian-American |
| Ethnicity: | African-American |
| Height: | 183 cm |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Al Burleson, Valerie Burleson |
| Siblings: | Alvin Burleson Jr., Kevin Burleson, Lyndale Burleson |
| Spouse: | Atoya Burleson |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | Nathaniel Burleson II, Nehemiah Burleson, Mia Pearl Burleson |
| Occupation: | Television Host, Sports Analyst, and Former Football Player |
| Net Worth: | $18 million |
Early Life and Education
Nate Burleson was born on August 19, 1981, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where his father, Al Burleson, was playing professional football for the Calgary Stampeders.
He later grew up in Seattle, Washington, with his parents, Al Burleson and Valerie Burleson and three brothers, Alvin Burleson Jr., Kevin Burleson and Lyndale Burleson. His family had a strong sporting background, and football became an important part of his upbringing.
Burleson attended Lindbergh High School before transferring to O’Dea High School in Seattle. He excelled in football and track and field and graduated in 1999.
His athletic ability earned him an opportunity to continue his education and football career at the University of Nevada, Reno.
At Nevada, Burleson became one of the school’s most productive receivers. He established multiple school receiving records and earned first-team All-American recognition during his senior season.
He studied human development and family studies, although CBS identifies him as a communications major in its professional biography. He completed his college education before entering the NFL in 2003.
Personal Life
Nate Burleson has been married to Atoya Burleson since November 19, 2003. The couple met while attending the University of Nevada, where both were student-athletes.
Their marriage has continued through Burleson’s transition from professional football into television broadcasting.
The couple have three children: two sons, Nathaniel Burleson II and Nehemiah Burleson, and a daughter, Mia Pearl Burleson.
His sons have followed the family’s football tradition, with Nehemiah committing to play for the Nevada Wolf Pack. Burleson and his family reside in New Jersey, where his home life is closely connected to his broadcasting work in New York.
Career
Nate Burleson entered the NFL in 2003 after the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the third round of the NFL Draft. He spent his first three seasons with Minnesota before joining the Seattle Seahawks in 2006.
He later played for the Detroit Lions from 2010 through 2013, completing an 11-season professional playing career.
As a receiver, Burleson recorded 457 receptions for 5,630 yards and 39 touchdowns during his NFL career.
He was also an accomplished return specialist. NFL statistics credit him with 156 punt returns for 1,523 yards and three punt-return touchdowns. His three punt returns of at least 90 yards remain a distinctive part of his NFL record.
After leaving professional football, Burleson moved into broadcasting. He joined NFL Network in 2014 and became a host of Good Morning Football.
His ability to combine football knowledge with an engaging television style helped him establish himself beyond sports commentary.
Burleson joined CBS Sports in 2017 as an analyst for The NFL Today. He later expanded into entertainment television, serving as an entertainment correspondent for Extra from 2019 to 2021 and interviewing major figures in sports, music, film, and popular culture. CBS also credits him with producing and contributing to projects outside traditional sports broadcasting.
In September 2021, Burleson joined Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil as a co-host of CBS Mornings. His appointment marked a major expansion of his career because the program let him work across breaking news, interviews, culture, entertainment, and human-interest reporting rather than limiting him to sports. CBS continues to list him as a co-host in 2026.
His work at CBS Sports also brought major recognition. Burleson is a two-time Sports Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Analyst and also received an Emmy for Outstanding Playoff Coverage for the NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon in 2021.
His television work has spanned CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, NFL Network, and entertainment programming.
Burleson also hosts the revived Hollywood Squares. CBS describes the program as a celebrity-centred game show featuring Drew Barrymore as the center square and Burleson as host. The show premiered in 2025 and continued into a second season in 2026.
Beyond television, Burleson has pursued creative and business interests, including podcasting, voiceover work, music, poetry, art, restaurants, clothing, and jewelry.
His career has since expanded from professional football into a broad media career spanning news, sports, entertainment, production, and entrepreneurship.
Awards
- First-Team All-American Honors (2002)
- All-Mountain West Conference First Team (2002)
- Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Analyst (2021)
- Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Playoff Coverage for the NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon (2021)
- Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Analyst (2022)
- East-West Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame Induction (2023)
Net worth
Nate Burleson’s net worth is estimated at $18 million. This figure is an estimate, not a publicly confirmed financial statement.
He built his wealth through his 11-year NFL playing career, subsequent broadcasting contracts, television appearances, sports analysis, production work, endorsements, voiceover projects, and business ventures.
Controversy
Nate Burleson drew media attention for the 2013 Minnesota Vikings boat-party scandal, which involved several Vikings players and drew league and legal scrutiny. He was also widely discussed in 2013 after a car accident in Detroit that left him with a fractured arm. Reports at the time said he was attempting to prevent pizzas from sliding around inside his vehicle when he lost control and crashed.
Neither incident has defined Burleson’s subsequent broadcasting career. Since retiring from football, his public work has focused primarily on sports analysis, news, entertainment, and interviews.
Social Media
- Instagram: @nateburleson
- X: @nateburleson
Filmography
- The Neighborhood (2018)
- Extra (2019–2021)
- Fritz Pollard: A Forgotten Man (2020)
- Good Morning Football (2016–2023)
- CBS Mornings (2021–present)
- The NFL Today (2017–present)
- NFL Slimetime (2021–present)
- Fantasy Football (2022)
- Superfan (2023)
- Hollywood Squares (2025–present)
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