Nate Burleson expects to be emotional about Minnesota return

Nate Burleson has been a huge member of the Detroit Lions for the past few seasons and he’s been one of the team’s most vocal leaders.

It would be easy for the NFL fan in 2013 to associate Burleson with the Lions, but it’s easy to forget that he’s had other stops in the NFL. He spent four seasons in Seattle before coming to Detroit, and his career started in 2003 with the Minnesota Vikings.

It’s fitting that Burleson will be on the field to say goodbye to the Metrodome this Sunday as the Lions take on the Vikings. He expects that it will be an emotional visit, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com:

"“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” Burleson said. “I think once I go out and run on the field, that’s when it’s going to hit me. Probably fall on me like a ton of bricks. Might get emotional.“Every time I go back, there’s still people that remember me and show me love. Occasionally I’ll see an old 81 jersey over there with my name on it. It’s a trip, man, to know that people still support you and love you and can appreciate you, even if you’re in a different jersey.”"

Burleson was a rookie with the Vikings when Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss were taking the league by storm.

He caught 29 receptions for 455 yards and two touchdowns in 2003, his rookie season; but really exploded in 2004. He caught 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns in 2004, which is the best statistical season of his 11-year career.