Nathaniel Eugene Burleson born August 19, is a Canadian-American television host, football commentator, and former football player. Playing college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack , he earned first-team All-American honors in He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions. He has been featured on several rap songs under the name New Balance. On June 11, , it was announced that Burleson would host an revival of the classic game show Hollywood Squares , which premiered on January 16, He was born into a prolific and tight-knit sporting family.
His oldest brother, Alvin Jr. However, Burleson remains proud of his Canadian citizenship, sporting a maple leaf tattoo and expressing interest in playing for Canada in a World Cup of football to the media. Burleson was also on the school's track and field team, competing as a sprinter and hurdler.
He won the state title in the meter hurdles with a time of Burleson hoped to attend the University of Washington , his father's alma mater, but was not offered a football scholarship. In the season, he made receptions, the second highest in NCAA history. During his time at Nevada he made a total of receptions for a total of 3, yards and 22 touchdowns. He currently holds the WAC and Nevada all-time records for single game receptions with 19 catches.
He graduated with a degree in human development and family studies. Burleson was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings , the 71st overall pick.
In his second season, , an injury to fellow receiver Randy Moss opened up opportunity for Burleson as he became the team's number one receiver. Burleson put up strong numbers, reaching over 1, receiving yards for the first time in his career. Not only a good receiver, but also a standout special teams player, Burleson is the only player in NFL history to have three punt returns of 90 or more yards. In retribution for the Vikings signing an offer sheet with former Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson , the Seahawks put clauses in Burleson's offer sheet which made it virtually impossible for Minnesota to match similar to what the Vikings did with Hutchinson.
