Nate Burleson

Profile Overview

Nate Burleson is a Canadian-American television host, sports analyst, and former NFL player. Born in Calgary and raised in Seattle, he attended the University of Nevada, Reno, where he was an All-America standout. He was drafted into the NFL in 2003 and played for 11 seasons as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions. After retiring from the NFL, he joined the NFL Network as an analyst and later as a co-host on Good Morning Football

In 2017, Burlson joined CBS as an analyst for the NFL Today show and later expanded his role by serving as a color commentator for an NFL game on Nickelodeon. He was also promoted to co-anchor on CBS Mornings alongside Tony Dokoupil and Gayle King, while continuing to work with Nickelodeon as a co-host of the weekly show NFL Slimetime. In 2024, he was announced as the host of CBS’s revival of the classic game show, Hollywood Squares, which premiered in 2025. 

Nate Burleson has been married to Atoya Burleson (née Atoya Cashe) since 2003. The two met at the University of Nevada, Reno, as student athletes, and they have three children together. Burleson is a vocal advocate for mental health and wellness, and has openly shared his experience with depression and alcohol misuse following a 2008 ACL injury. He also uses his platform to destigmatize mental health challenges, specifically for men and athletes. 

Education

  • O'Dea High School, Seattle, Washington
  • Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
  • Played football in college, where he was a two-time All-American wide receiver and led the NCAA in receiving yards and receptions per game in his senior season.

Dating & Marriage

  • Marriage: Atoya Burleson from 2002 to (An entrepreneur, podcast host, and former collegiate athlete.)

Children

  • Nathaniel Burleson II , a biological child with Atoya Burleson, born in 2004
  • Nehemiah Burleson, a biological child with Atoya Burleson, born in 2006
  • Mia Pearl Burleson, a biological child with Atoya Burleson, born in 2010

Net Worth & Income

  • Primary income from his CBS contract covering CBS Mornings and The NFL Today on CBS Sports
  • Prior NFL career earnings estimated at $33 million across 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Cleveland Browns, including a five-year, $25 million deal with Detroit signed in 2010
  • Owns Watch Media, a production company that produces diverse content, including sports documentaries, scripted, and unscripted projects.

Awards

  • Sports Emmy Award — Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Analyst, The NFL Today, CBS Sports (2021)
  • Sports Emmy Award — Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Analyst, The NFL Today, CBS Sports (2022)
  • Sports Emmy Award — Outstanding Playoff Coverage, NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon, CBS Sports (2021)

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