On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts episode with Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper, 11-year NFL receiver Nate Burleson blazes the Second Acts podcast mic. Since leaving the game, Nate has charted a unique path as a broadcaster that led him to his current role as a co-host on the CBS Mornings program. Nate’s journey to that position was no accident, as he describes during an introspective conversation. Nate started honing his craft for his second act in TV during his rookie year with the Minnesota Vikings. That tenacity to improve and excel later took him to roles on “Extra TV”, “Good Morning Football”, and Nickelodeon. But, Nate is far from a one-trick pony. He also has a clothing line Baynes + Baker and a production company. Nate also shares the struggle when he decided to leave football, which he calls “H.E.R.” and which one of his former teammates was better: Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson. And we couldn’t let Nate leave without one of his fire freestyles. So, enjoy this conversation with one of the most interesting people to grace a football field or a TV screen.

 

0:25 – Nate’s pre-episode freestyle

5:15 – Nate on the Michael Strahan influence on players’ finding success post-NFL

7:37 – Nate on why he started his journey as a broadcaster while playing

12:25 – Nate on who’s better: Randy Moss vs Calvin Johnson

16:43 – Peanut on how he had success vs Randy Moss

18:17 – Nate on his football journey with “H.E.R.”

21:08 – Nate on finding his voice as a broadcaster

24:58 – Nate on overcoming depression after tearing his ACL in 2008

30:15 – Nate on bringing his swag to the “CBS Mornings” show

34:23 – Nate on advice he gives players who want to work in TV

37:48 – Nate on being ok saying no

42:53 – Nate on doing more storytelling at CBS, his other business ventures

45:16 – Nate on a bigger thrill: being parodied on SNL vs being recognized by Al Pacino

46:56 – Nate on being a sneakerhead

49:34 – Nate shares is personal Mount Rushmore

52:08 – Nate on the importance of the NFL brotherhood

*NOTE: Time codes are approximate. 

NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Radio. 

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