What is Golden Tate's net worth?
Golden Tate is a retired American football player who has a net worth of $16 million. Golden Tate established himself as one of the NFL's most reliable wide receivers during his 11-season career from 2010 to 2020. A second-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks, Tate emerged as a key contributor to their Super Bowl XLVIII victory and went on to become a Pro Bowl selection with the Detroit Lions in 2014. Known for his exceptional yards-after-catch ability and reliable hands, Tate accumulated 695 receptions for 8,278 yards and 46 touchdowns across his time with the Seahawks, Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants. He recorded four 1,000+ yard seasons between 2014-2017 and developed a reputation for making crucial plays in big moments, particularly during his productive stint in Detroit where he became Matthew Stafford's go-to target.
Contracts & Career Earnings
Throughout his career, Tate signed several significant contracts that reflected his value as a premier receiver. His rookie contract with Seattle was worth $3.261 million over four years. In 2014, he signed a five-year, $31 million contract with the Lions that included $13.25 million guaranteed. After being traded to Philadelphia midway through 2018, he signed a four-year, $37.5 million contract with the Giants in 2019 that included $23 million guaranteed. Over his 11-year NFL career, Tate's total earnings exceeded $56 million in salary and bonuses.
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Early Life & College Career
Born on August 2, 1988, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Tate excelled in both baseball and football at Pope John Paul II High School. At Notre Dame, he played both sports initially before focusing solely on football. His collegiate career peaked in 2009 when he won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver and earned unanimous All-American honors after catching 93 passes for 1,496 yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior year. Tate decided to forgo his senior season and entered the 2010 NFL Draft.
NFL Rise with Seattle
The Seahawks selected Tate 60th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. After a quiet rookie season, he gradually developed into a reliable target for quarterback Russell Wilson. His breakthrough came during Seattle's Super Bowl-winning 2013 season, where he recorded 64 receptions for 898 yards and five touchdowns. Tate's ability to break tackles and gain yards after the catch became his trademark during this period.
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Detroit Lions Peak Years
Tate signed with the Detroit Lions in 2014 and immediately elevated his game to new heights. He made his lone Pro Bowl appearance in his first season with Detroit, recording 99 catches for 1,331 yards. Over four and a half seasons with the Lions, he demonstrated remarkable consistency, recording three consecutive 1,000+ yard seasons from 2014-2016. His chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford made him one of the NFL's most productive slot receivers during this period.
Later Career & Legacy
After his tenure with the Lions, Tate spent half a season with the Eagles in 2018, helping them reach the playoffs. He then signed with the Giants, where he played his final two seasons from 2019-2020. While his production declined in his later years, Tate remained a reliable target when healthy. Throughout his career, he was known for his exceptional yards-after-catch ability, durability, and clutch performances in crucial moments. His playing style influenced the evolution of the slot receiver position, demonstrating how versatility and toughness could make up for lack of prototypical size at the position.
Real Estate
In March 2022, Golden paid $2.7 million for a home in College Grove, Tennessee.
In October 2017, Golden paid $2.599 million for a home in Ranch Santa Fe, California. He still owns this home today, though he has made it a rental at various points in recent years, likely after moving to Tennessee, for as much as $22,000 per month. Today this home is worth north of $4 million. Here is a video tour:
