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9 months ago
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Nate Burleson has been in broadcaster for nearly as long as he was an NFL player at this point. With Super Bowl LVIII set for Sunday, February 11, he’ll be calling the game while balancing a bunch of other broadcast jobs. He’ll be calling the big game live on Nickelodeon, where a family-friendly version of the game will be shown with added animated effects and Spongebob Squarepants will join him as a commentator, via Variety. He’ll also be a part of the pre-show and be back to his regular CBS Mornings broadcast the next day.
With his wide range of jobs, Nate noted that this feels like a huge opportunity. He’s also explained that he’s excited to get to show his love of the game with a younger audience. “I never played in a Super Bowl, so I feel like this is my Super Bowl,” he told The New York Times. “I am a huge proponent of shows like that being the bridge between kids and the sports that they love.”
Before he anchors the big game, get to know more about Nate here!
Nate Was an NFL Player for 10 Years
R. Diamond/WireImage
Prior to entering the world of football broadcasting, Nate had played the game professionally for just over a decade. He was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings for the 2003 draft. He moved to the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, where he stayed until he signed with the Detroit Lions in 2010. He remained with the team, until he was cut in 2014. After exiting the Lions, he signed his final contract with the Cleveland Browns, but he was cut in August 2014.
He Began Broadcasting Immediately After Retiring
After retiring from the NFL, Nate began broadcasting soon after. At first, he was an analyst and color commentator for his old team, the Detroit Lions. He joined the NFL on CBS in 2017, and he’s won two Sports Emmy Awards in 2021 and 2022. He also predicted the outcome of the previous Super Bowl.
He’s Married With 3 Kids
Nate is also a married man! He’s been with his wife Atoya for many years, and the pair have two sons and a daughter. When the second season of NFL Slimetime premiered in 2022, Nate’s daughter Mia also joined the team to offer kid-friendly notes on the games, via The Futon Critic.
He’s Been Broadcaster for ‘Extra’ & Nickelodeon
While football is his primary subject, Nate has shown off his knowledge of other topics, including celebrities and politics, when he was a correspondent for Extra. He interviewed the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and many more stars during his time on the show, per CBS.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Nickelodeon
As mentioned above, Nate has also been the commentator for Nickelodeon’s broadcasts of NFL games. During the broadcasts, he makes comedic and kid-friendly commentary in games that also have animations to help encourage younger viewers. He’s even been slimed on Nickelodeon.
He Raps Under the Name New Balance
He has more skills than just in the broadcast booth. Nate has also shown off that he can rap. He has appeared on a few tracks from rapper Wizdom’s 2008 album The Book of Wizdom, where he was credited as “New Balance.” He appeared on the title track, “Valley of Rain,” and “Put in Work.” While it’s been a long time since he dropped any tracks, he has occasionally shown off his rapping skills when he’s had rappers as guests in the studio.
