Nate Burleson Biography
Nate Burleson is a Canadian-American television host, sports commentator, and former professional football player. He made his mark as a wide receiver in the NFL after an impressive college career with the Nevada Wolf Pack, where he snagged first-team All-American honors in 2002.
Burleson was picked by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Throughout his NFL journey, he also played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions, earning a reputation for his versatility, athleticism, and engaging personality both on and off the field.
After hanging up his cleats, Burleson smoothly transitioned into the world of broadcasting and entertainment. He’s currently with CBS and Paramount Global, where he co-hosts CBS Mornings and plays a key role in CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, affectionately known as March Madness.
In addition to that, Burleson is reviving the classic game show Hollywood Squares and serves as an analyst on The NFL Today. He’s also become a familiar face in football coverage for Nickelodeon, co-hosting NFL Slimetime with Dylan Gilmer and providing commentary for the network’s kid-friendly NFL broadcasts.
Before fully joining CBS, Burleson co-hosted Good Morning Football on NFL Network and worked as a New York correspondent for the entertainment news show Extra from 2019 to 2021.
Beyond his television and sports career, Burleson has dabbled in music projects and rap collaborations under the nickname “New Balance,” highlighting his passion for entertainment and pop culture that goes beyond the football field.
Nate Burleson Age
How old is Nate? He is 44 years old as of 2026. Nate was born on August 19, 1981, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Besides, he celebrates his birthday on the 19th of August each year.
Nate Burleson Education
Nate was enrolled and graduated from Rainier View Elementary School located in Seattle. From there, Nate went to Lindbergh High School in the local of Renton as a freshman. He later transferred to O’Dea High School located in Seattle. In addition, he also attended and graduated from the University of Nevada with a degree in human development and family studies.
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Nate Burleson Nationality
Burleson is of Canadian nationality and citizenship. In addition, Nate was born and grew up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Besides, he belongs to the white heritage.
Nate Burleson Height | Measurements
Burleson stands approximately the height of 6 feet 0 inches (Approx. 1.83 m) tall, as Nate is a man of average stature. However, he has not mentioned any details concerning his other body measurements in the public domain.
Nate Burleson Family | Parents
Nate was born and grew up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada under the care of his mother Valerie Lynn, and his father Alvin Burleson. In addition, he grew up in a prolific and tight-knit sporting family. Besides, he grew up alongside his older brother Kevin who played professional basketball. Previously, Kevin was a point guard for the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association. Moreover, he has also a younger brother called Lyndale who played campus basketball.
Nate Burleson Wife | Children | Partner
Burleson is a married man. In addition, he is married to his loving wife Atoya Burleson. Besides, his wife is an American correspondent and host. Currently, Atoya works as the host and CEO of a podcast hosted by NFL wives called inSIDELINES. Furthermore, the couple tied their wedding knot in March 2003 after meeting each other on campus at the University of Nevada.
Nate Burleson Salary
Burleson currently earns his monthly income from his role as a co-host of CBS Morning and covers football at CBS News on its The NFL Today podcast. Therefore, he earns an annual estimated salary of $110,000.
Nate Burleson’s Net Worth
Nate has accumulated decent wealth from his former career as a host, wide receiver, and current football commentator. Therefore, Nate has an average net worth of $4 million.
Nate Burleson CBS News
Nate Burleson really stepped up his game at CBS and its affiliated platforms in 2021. At the start of the year, he took on the role of color commentator for the NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon, making football more accessible and fun for younger fans with the network’s family-friendly approach.
He also hosted a reunion special for the first season of The Challenge: All Stars on Paramount+, which helped him further establish his footprint in the entertainment world.
In August 2021, CBS made it official by announcing Burleson as a co-host of CBS Mornings, the revamped version of CBS This Morning. He joined seasoned journalists Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil on the weekday morning show.
Meanwhile, Burleson continued to build his partnership with Nickelodeon by co-hosting NFL Slimetime, a weekly highlights show designed for younger audiences. He later teamed up again with broadcasters Noah Eagle and Gabrielle Nevaeh Green for Nickelodeon’s 2022 NFL Wild Card broadcast, and the trio reunited for the network’s Christmas Day NFL coverage later that year.
Fast forward to 2023, and Nickelodeon announced that Burleson would co-host the Kids’ Choice Awards alongside social media sensation Charli D’Amelio.
On June 11, 2024, CBS shared the exciting news that Burleson would be hosting a revival of the classic game show Hollywood Squares, set to premiere on January 16, 2025.
Then in February 2026, CBS Sports revealed that Burleson would temporarily step in for longtime broadcaster Ernie Johnson Jr. during the first two weeks of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament coverage. Johnson was taking a step back as part of a semi-retirement plan, while still hosting the Final Four and National Championship coverage and focusing on his role with Inside the NBA on ESPN and ABC.
Is Nate Burleson Leaving CBS?
As of now, there’s no solid word on Nate Burleson leaving CBS. In fact, the network has been ramping up his role, giving him more responsibilities in sports, entertainment, and morning shows.
He’s one of CBS’s most recognizable faces, regularly popping up on CBS Mornings, NFL coverage, and various entertainment specials.
Nate Burleson Stats
Throughout his time in the National Football League, Nate Burleson earned a reputation as a reliable wide receiver and a skilled return specialist. Over the course of his NFL career, he racked up more than 5,600 receiving yards, completed over 450 receptions, and scored 39 receiving touchdowns. He also made his mark on special teams, contributing with punt return touchdowns and kickoff returns.
Burleson played for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions during his career in the league.
Who Did Nate Burleson Play For?
Burleson had a professional career with three NFL teams:
– Minnesota Vikings
– Seattle Seahawks
– Detroit Lions
– Cleveland Browns
Before making it to the NFL, he shined at the University of Nevada, playing for the Nevada Wolf Pack football team.
Nate Burleson What’s New
Nate Burleson is making waves in the television world, continuing to grow his career with CBS and its associated Paramount platforms. Right now, he’s co-hosting CBS Mornings, serving as an analyst on The NFL Today, and even hosting the revamped version of Hollywood Squares.
Looking ahead to 2026, CBS Sports revealed that Burleson will take on a bigger role during the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament coverage, stepping in temporarily due to changes in Ernie Johnson Jr.’s schedule.
Nate Burleson Football Career
Burleson kicked off his NFL journey when the Minnesota Vikings picked him in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. With his athleticism, versatility, and reliable hands, he quickly became a standout receiver and return specialist.
One of the highlights of his career was with the Seattle Seahawks, where he emerged as a key offensive player. He later joined the Detroit Lions, contributing to a dynamic offense alongside several star teammates.
After hanging up his cleats, Burleson made a seamless transition into broadcasting, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in NFL television.
Nate Burleson Minnesota Vikings | Seattle Seahawks | Detroit Lions | Cleveland Browns
Nate Burleson was picked by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, coming in as the 71st overall selection. While his rookie season hinted at his potential, he didn’t quite make a big impact during that first year in the league.
Everything changed for Burleson in 2004 when an injury to star receiver Randy Moss opened the door for him to take on a bigger role. He quickly became the Vikings’ go-to receiver and celebrated his first 1,000-yard receiving season. Not only did he shine as a wide receiver, but Burleson also made a name for himself as one of the league’s most electrifying return specialists. In fact, he’s the only player in NFL history to pull off three punt returns of 90 yards or more.
Fast forward to March 24, 2006, when Burleson signed a seven-year, $49 million contract offer sheet with his hometown Seattle Seahawks. This deal was particularly noteworthy because it had some unique clauses that made it nearly impossible for the Vikings to match.
The contract dispute arose shortly after Minnesota had signed Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson to a similar deal. Seattle’s offer for Burleson reportedly guaranteed the entire contract if he played just five games in Minnesota during a season or if his yearly salary surpassed the combined average salaries of the team’s running backs. Given that Seattle was paying star running back Shaun Alexander a hefty contract at the time, they could easily meet those terms compared to Minnesota.
Ultimately, the Vikings chose not to match the offer, and Burleson officially became a Seahawk. During his time in Seattle, he established himself as one of the NFL’s premier punt returners, setting franchise records for both single-season and career punt return yards.
Unfortunately, his 2008 season was cut short when he suffered a knee ligament injury in Seattle’s opening game against the Buffalo Bills, which landed him on injured reserve for the rest of the year.
In March 2010, Burleson signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Detroit Lions.
Burleson earned a reputation as a respected veteran in Detroit, and in 2011, he was honored with the Lions’ Media-Friendly “Good Guy Award” for his professionalism and the great rapport he built with reporters.
In September 2013, Burleson faced a tough moment when he broke his forearm in a single-car accident near Detroit. Reports say he lost control of his vehicle while trying to save a pizza from sliding around inside. This bizarre incident caught a lot of media attention and kept him off the field for part of the season.
The Lions decided to part ways with Burleson on February 13, 2014, marking the end of his four-year stint with the team.
In April 2014, Burleson signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, hoping to keep his NFL career alive. Unfortunately, he was released during the final roster cuts before the season kicked off, effectively wrapping up his time in professional football.
