Atoya Burleson: Unveiling the Secrets of “NFL Wives” – Is the Image of a Successful Woman Real?

When people hear the name Burleson, they might immediately think of NFL star and TV personality Nate Burleson. But today we focus on his other, better half – Atoya Burleson.

Atoya started by breaking records on the track field only to grow up and build a media empire that empowers women. Burleson’s story is an impressive one that shows women everywhere that you can do it all!

Today we dig into Atoya’s early life, family, marriage, and career achievements. By the end of this, you’ll see that Atoya isn’t just standing in her husband’s shadow. She’s an inspiring, African-American woman that many should look up to.

Atoya Burleson: Flash Facts

Atoya Burleson: Who Is She?

Before she became known as Nate Burleson’s wife, Atoya was making waves as a star athlete at the University of Nevada.

Growing up with a passion for sports and education, she found her stride—quite literally—in track and field. As a collegiate athlete, she was dominating. Her golden moment came in 2000 when she won first place in the 100-meter hurdles at the Big West outdoor championship.

Atoya single-handedly helped Nevada, her home state, secure its first-ever women’s track and field conference title!

While breaking records on the track, Atoya was also hitting the books hard. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and later completed her master’s in education. From the start, Atoya showed she could successfully juggle multiple passions while excelling at each one.

Atoya Burleson: What Does Nate Burleson’s Wife Do?

The real question is what doesn’t she do? For starters, after spending 11 years in the NFL community, Atoya took all that insider knowledge and created something pretty amazing – Ladies Playbook.

It’s a digital platform exclusively for NFL women. Consider it the ultimate resource hub where NFL families can find what they need to thrive, from team calendars to community chat forums.

Atoya’s also made quite a name for herself in the media world. She’s graced beauty campaigns for Trish McEvoy, appeared in Super Bowl commercials for Pizza Hut, and even moderated panels at the Essence Festival.

Image source: Essence

When she’s not busy with all that, you might spot her on the pages of People magazine, Authority magazine, or New Jersey Family magazine, sharing her insights and experiences.

What Is Atoya Burleson’s Blog About?

If you’ve ever wondered what life is really like as a sports family, Atoya’s blog is your go-to spot. Think of it as sitting down for coffee with your most organized, been-there-done-that friend who’s ready to share all her secrets!

She gets super real about everything – from turning each new house into a home (and trust me, with 11 years of NFL moves, she’s an expert!) to juggling life as a mom of three.

Atoya also keeps it totally honest, even admitting to “fumbling the ball” sometimes with parenting. You’ll find her sharing quick beauty tips for busy days, fashion inspiration for both fancy events and casual hangouts, and practical fitness advice that actually fits into real life.

If you stick around and read some of her posts, you’ll see how she wraps everything in this warm, encouraging vibe. She’s always reminding her readers to “try things that make you smile!” which I believe is her whole approach to life.

Fun fact: Anyone can send Atoya an ask or message through her blog too!

Does Atoya Burleson Have a Podcast?

You bet she does! InsideLINES is Atoya’s baby, where she gets real with women in and around sports. She highlights the fascinating women behind the athletes; the ones whose stories rarely get told.

Image source: Instagram

Originally co-hosted with Tia Avril, Atoya’s now running solo, bringing us candid conversations that feel like you’re hanging with friends. She shares both the glamorous and challenging sides of life in the sports world.

What About Atoya Burleson’s Instagram?

Head over to @atoyaburleson and you’ll find her living by her bio motto “Elevate while staying grounded. Rom. 12:12.”

Her feed is the perfect mix of behind-the-scenes moments from her InsideLINES podcast, sweet family updates, and sneak peeks at her latest projects. You’ll catch clips of her chatting it up with Nate, sharing laughs with podcast guests, and dropping wisdom about Ladies Playbook.

Atoya Burleson: Family and Personal Life

At the heart of Atoya’s busy life is her loving family with NFL star-turned-broadcaster Nate Burleson and their three kids who are already following in their athletic footsteps!

Their oldest son, Nathaniel (who also goes by Nate), is carrying on the family legacy as a wide receiver at the University of Nevada. Not to be outdone, their second son Nehemiah joined the Wolf Pack family too, playing as an edge player.

Image source: Google

Their daughter Mia Pearl rounds out the crew, and from what I can gather on social media, she’s got that Burleson athletic spirit too.

The family’s incredibly close-knit, often sharing fun moments on social media, whether they’re walking red carpets together or just hanging out at home.

It’s sweet how they support each other’s dreams. You’ll find Nate cheering on Atoya’s business ventures just as enthusiastically as she supported his NFL career.

How Did Atoya and Nate Burleson Meet?

Talk about a college romance that stood the test of time!

Back in 1999, AToya was a senior track star at the University of Nevada when she met freshman Nate in an elevator. Here’s the cute part: this 18-year-old freshman charmed her by kissing her hand when introducing himself!

Even though Atoya had plans to head to the University of Texas for her master’s, fate (or as she put it, “divine intervention”) stepped in when Nevada offered her a scholarship to stay.

Since tying the knot in 2003, they’ve been absolute couple goals. Want the secret to a marriage that’s gone strong for over two decades? Regular date nights, open communication, and one unique “love language” – fashion!

As Nate shared in an appearance with Sherri: “Not in a vain sense, more like, when we get ready for date night we show up for each other like we show up for a red carpet.” He also still gushes about how he’s “the lucky one” and calls Atoya “the catch.”

What Is Atoya Burleson’s Net Worth?

Atoya has created multiple successful income streams through her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Her current net worth is estimated at around $200,000 owing to her various ventures: her podcast, Ladies Playbook app, speaking engagements, and brand partnerships.

Meanwhile, her husband Nate has built an impressive net worth of $12 million through his NFL career and broadcasting success at CBS. There, he reportedly earns a $2.5 million annual salary as co-host of CBS Mornings.

Featured image source: Instagram