Nate Burleson Bio: Age, Wife, CBS Mornings, NFL Career, Net Worth

Nate Burleson is a Canadian-American television host, sports analyst, and former NFL wide receiver. He is a co-host of CBS Mornings, an Emmy-winning analyst on The NFL Today, the host of Nickelodeon’s NFL Slimetime, and the host of the revived game show Hollywood Squares.

Born on August 19, 1981, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and raised in Seattle, Burleson played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions after starring at the University of Nevada. He is the only player in NFL history to record three punt returns of 90 or more yards.

Since retiring, Burleson has become one of the most versatile figures in sports media, balancing hard news, NFL commentary, children’s programming, and game shows. He is married to Atoya Burleson and has three children.

Nate Burleson Quick Facts

Fans who look up Nate Burleson often search for related NFL analysts and TV hosts such as Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil, Ryan Clark, and other CBS Mornings and The NFL Today personalities.

Early Life & Education

Nate Burleson was born on August 19, 1981, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and raised in Seattle, Washington. He comes from a family of athletes: his father played professional football, and one of his brothers played in the NBA.

He attended O’Dea High School in Seattle and went on to play college football at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he was a standout and earned first-team All-American honors in 2002. He graduated with a degree in communications.

Career Journey

NFL Playing Career

Burleson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round (71st overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played 11 seasons as a wide receiver and return specialist with the Vikings (2003–2005), Seattle Seahawks (2006–2009), and Detroit Lions (2010–2013). Over 135 career games he recorded 457 receptions for 5,630 yards and 39 touchdowns, plus 2,809 return yards and four return touchdowns. He was named to the Seahawks’ 35th Anniversary team.

NFL Network and Good Morning Football

After his playing career ended in 2014, Burleson joined NFL Network as an analyst. In 2016 he became a co-host of the network’s hit morning show Good Morning Football alongside Kay Adams, Kyle Brandt, and Peter Schrager. He joined The NFL Today on CBS in 2017 and served as an entertainment correspondent for Extra from 2019 to 2021.

CBS Mornings and Nickelodeon

In September 2021, CBS named Burleson a co-host of CBS Mornings, where he appears alongside Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil. He also hosts Nickelodeon’s weekly highlights show NFL Slimetime and commentates on the network’s NFL broadcasts. In 2025 he began hosting a revival of the classic game show Hollywood Squares, and in 2026 he covered the early rounds of March Madness for CBS.

Career Stats

• NFL seasons: 11 (2003–2013)
• Career receptions: 457 for 5,630 yards, 39 touchdowns
• Return yards: 2,809 with 4 touchdowns
• Emmy Awards: 2 Sports Emmys for Outstanding Studio Analyst (2021, 2022)
• Current roles: CBS Mornings co-host; NFL Today analyst; Hollywood Squares host

Personal Life

• Burleson is married to Atoya Burleson.
• The couple have two sons, Nathaniel and Nehemiah, and a daughter, Mia Pearl.
• His daughter appears as a contributor on NFL Slimetime.
• He resides in New Jersey.

Dating History and Affairs

Burleson has been married to Atoya for years and keeps his family life grounded. No other relationship history has been publicly reported.

Controversies

Burleson has largely avoided controversy and is widely praised for his professionalism and positive on-air presence. One of his most talked-about moments came before Super Bowl LVII, when he correctly predicted the exact final score and MVP.

Awards & Achievements

• Two Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Analyst (2021, 2022)
• Sports Emmy for Outstanding Playoff Coverage (Nickelodeon Wild Card, 2021)
• First-team All-American, Nevada (2002)
• Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary team
• Only NFL player with three punt returns of 90+ yards

Physical Statistics

• Height: 6’0″ (183 cm)
• Weight: 198 lb (90 kg) playing weight
• Hair Color: Black
• Eye Color: Brown

Favorites

• Favorite Art Form: Poetry and music
• Favorite Role: Balancing sports, news, and kids’ TV
• Favorite Pastime: Producing art and creating content

Earnings

Nate Burleson’s estimated net worth is between $15 million and $25 million. His income comes from his NFL career earnings, his CBS and NFL Network contracts, his Nickelodeon and Hollywood Squares roles, and his business ventures, which have included restaurants, a clothing label, and a jewelry line.

Interesting Facts

• He is the only NFL player ever with three punt returns of 90+ yards.
• He was born in Canada but raised in Seattle.
• He has been featured on rap songs under the name “New Balance.”
• His fifth-grade teacher submitted him for the Paul Robeson Award, which he won.

Did You Know Already?

• He co-hosted Good Morning Football for five years.
• He began hosting Hollywood Squares in 2025.
• He has been slimed on Nickelodeon more than 20 times.

Social Media Links

• X (Twitter): @Nate13Burleson
• Instagram: @nateburleson

FAQ

Conclusion

Nate Burleson has reinvented himself from an NFL receiver into one of television’s most versatile hosts, spanning morning news, football, game shows, and kids’ programming. His four Emmy Awards and wide-ranging career make him a rare success story after sports. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with other football and TV fans!