Nate Burleson Reflects on Reinvention, Leadership and Life Beyond the NFL at Kean’s President’s Distinguished Lecture Series

Nate Burleson, a retired wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) turned national television host, encouraged Kean students and community members to think expansively about their futures and to embrace reinvention during his recent appearance in Kean University’s President’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Drawing on his journey from professional athletics to broadcast journalism and entertainment, Burleson spoke about planning for the future, adaptability, using influence to elevate others and rethinking how to prepare for success.

“We are always told to have a backup plan in case things don’t work out, but I wish somebody would have told me earlier to stack up plans after you succeed,” Burleson said. “Speak in that optimism. Project it. Manifest it. You are going to succeed, so what’s the plan after that? The most successful people aren’t surprised by their success.”

Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., welcomed the audience to the final installment of this year’s lecture series, which brings transformative voices to Kean’s campus.

“We are joined by a man who has moved through some of the most demanding arenas in our culture,” Repollet said. “Nate Burleson is a retired NFL standout turned Emmy Award-winning studio analyst and national media voice whose far-reaching and influential career reflects an ethos familiar to Kean; bold enough to reinvent, grounded enough to lead and curious enough to never stop learning.”

The president also introduced Kean’s First Lady Darlene Repollet, who served as moderator of the event. She described Burleson as a true “Renaissance Man” and reflected on how “in a world where we are often told to ‘pick a lane’ and stay in it, he has spent his career breaking barriers, both literally and figuratively.”

A retired standout wide receiver who played 11 seasons in the NFL, Burleson transitioned into broadcasting after retirement, steadily building a presence in national sports media before expanding into mainstream news and entertainment programming. A two-time Sports Emmy winner, he currently co-hosts CBS Mornings, hosts Hollywood Squares and serves as an analyst on The NFL Today. 

During both the public lecture and a smaller session with student-athletes, Burleson reflected on the identity shift that comes with retiring from professional sports and emphasized the importance of networking, preparation and intentional growth. 

Burleson also spoke about leadership as a shared responsibility rooted in collaboration, humility and service.

“There is enough food on the table for everybody,” Burleson said. “I don’t want people to just say I caught touchdowns or I was on TV. I want them to say ‘he created space for other people.’ I’m where I am because somebody opened a door for me, so my impact has to be opening doors for someone else.”

Kean alumna Simoné Edwards ’04 M.A., Ed.D., said Burleson’s message resonated, particularly his emphasis on creating opportunities for others.

“His message was monumental in regard to making space for others,” Edwards said. “It really resonated when he mentioned leaving impact on the next generation was the biggest thing for him. For someone as successful as he is to come and give back to the students and this audience and to be his authentic self on stage was very powerful.”

Burleson also struck a chord with students.

“His message that it’s good to be a role player hit home for me,” said Isaiah Nelson, a junior on Kean’s football team. “That’s a great perspective; everyone can’t be the star player, but everybody has to play their role.”

“It was very impactful,” said Loren Preyor, a freshman on Kean’s women’s golf team. “Every message was helpful in showing me where I want to be as a student-athlete and beyond.”

Before concluding, Burleson reminded students to value the people who support their journey.

“Appreciate the people and the ecosystem that you have around you,” he said. “You’ll look back and realize everybody that was there was invested in my future.”

The President’s Distinguished Lecture Series brings a range of influential speakers to Kean University. Past speakers have included former U.S. Senator Al Franken; human rights leader Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of the late Nelson Mandela; autism advocate and animal scientist Temple Grandin, Ph.D.; and tech journalist Kara Swisher.