Golden Tate III’s first football game was in middle school at St. Joseph in the heart of Nashville, where he stunned the crowd by scoring seven touchdowns. After a state record-breaking first season, he was recruited to Pope John Paul II in Hendersonville, where an unnamed booster generously paid for his tuition, changing his life forever. It is also the start of the story of Golden and his wife Elise’s commitment to giving back to the Nashville community, recognizing that someone gave him a helping hand, and wanting to do the same for other kids.
Little did the Tate family know that it would one day come full circle.
Golden – Nashville’s local star – was recruited by every major college in America. Golden chose the University of Notre Dame, where he excelled both on the football field and the baseball diamond. Tate became the first-ever Biletnikoff Award winner from Notre Dame, unanimously getting every vote, as the best College Wide Receiver in the country. He was also a top 10 contender for the Heisman. He was drafted twice in Major League Baseball, but ultimately chose the NFL and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. After winning the Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2014, he became a Detroit Lion and Pro Bowler, and later went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. For 5 seasons (2015-2019), Tate held the YAC King title throughout the NFL with 1,003 yards after the catch (nearly doubling Larry Fitzgerald’s 674 YAC in 2nd place). Tate’s athletic and professional accolades continue to mount after retirement, but beyond the trophies, Golden is most proud of his wife and their three children, and their love for Christ. “We are far from perfect, have made countless mistakes, and things we wished we could have done differently, but we are trying to be intentional with our parenting and leave a God-fearing Legacy.
In 2014, rooted in American pride and both of their grandfathers’ faithful military service, the Tates founded the Golden Future Foundation to support veterans, their families, and underserved communities.
“Collectively, Elise and I have always felt a responsibility to use our platform for something greater than ourselves,” says Golden. “I tend to be the visionary—I have a lot of ideas, some realistic, others maybe a little wild—and Elise is the one who brings those ideas to life with clarity, heart, and incredible execution.”
The couple’s ultimate goal is to leave people better than they found them. “Whether it's veterans who’ve sacrificed so much, kids who need a little extra support, or families going through tough seasons—we want to show up for them,” says Golden. “For us, giving back, in any form, is a way to show people God loves them and is here for them.”
Elise reflects, “I know our Tate Scholarship for Kids was God’s way of introducing me to Nashville and preparing my heart to eventually move here last summer. Every year, we’d commit a weekend to serve Golden’s hometown, fly in, hold a youth football camp, and provide scholarships to kids to attend Golden’s high school, just as someone once did for him.“ After the many visits and scholarships given, the Tates invested in College Grove in 2019, and finally moved their family in June of ‘24. “Our camps in July of 2024 and July 2025 were surreal for us, simply hopping in our car and driving down the road, versus a flight in,” says Elise. “We are so thankful for the opportunity to serve Golden’s hometown and be so close.”
But their community service goes beyond an annual scholarship camp. “Elise heads up the majority of our hands-on giving. She is a problem solver, with an enormous heart and love to serve people,” says Golden. “If my wife finds out kids are in need, I just say yes and have learned to just go with the flow to whatever she has up her sleeve. From providing clothing to foster families, to adopting schools every year, ensuring every child has a warm coat before winter, her love to serve others inspires me.”
“This past year, with the help of our generous neighborhood and my high school, we collected thousands of coats for Warren Elementary,” he says. “Elise and I personally put coats on every child, and I had to drag her out of there. We also made sure each child who didn’t attend school that day was able to put in a size request, and again with the help of our generous friends and neighbors, shipped those sizes directly to the school.” The Tates’ annual coat drive started in Detroit when the couple was with the Lions, after Elise learned that school attendance drastically decreased in winter months due to inadequate clothing. They quickly found a solution by adding an annual coat drive to their Foundation’s list of events and have since adopted a school in whatever city they are living in, during the winter months. “It was really special that last fall, the school was just miles away from where Golden grew up,” Elise says.
The Golden Future Foundation has been able to support a wide range of causes over the years, with a focus on veterans, animals, children, and their local communities. Their efforts have included helping cover medical expenses and therapy for veterans, organizing the annual “Stars & Strikes” fundraiser around 9/11, and donating coats to those in need, including homeless vets and schoolchildren in cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Nashville. They’ve worked alongside organizations such as IAVA, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, and Pets for Vets, and have even helped sponsor school programs and special events like surprise marriage proposals for active military members. In the area of animal welfare, they’ve fostered and rehabilitated dozens of rescue dogs while partnering with shelters to encourage adoption and responsible pet ownership.
They also utilize personal milestones as opportunities to spotlight and give back to kids in need. For example, instead of having parties and a cake to celebrate a gender reveal, they spent that money on a child of the same gender they were blessed with and started a viral nationwide challenge to encourage others to do the same. Thousands of people joined in across the nation and helped local kids; the challenge even made its way to the USA Today show. Within the NFL community, they’ve supported initiatives like sponsoring players to attend Professional Player Outreach, a faith-based conference held annually for NFL athletes. They’ve also partnered with diamond company Ritani to surprise both active-duty military members and veterans with fully covered engagements.
Golden and Elise want to share this sense of giving with their children - daughter Londyn and sons Golden IV and Isaiah Michael. “We want them to know that success isn’t just about what you achieve, but how you treat people, how you steward your gifts, and how you show up for the things that matter most,” says Golden.
As their children get older, they look forward to going on mission trips and serving alongside them. “Our kids have many privileges that my wife and I certainly did not have growing up. Elise and I come from different paths but share the same core: grit, faith, and a deep love for family. We hope our children can see the passion and servant hearts we have towards God’s people. We hope they understand that giving to others is much more satisfying than receiving.”
The couple also has a lot going on professionally. This year, Golden appeared in the Fox show, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, and is currently filming a pilot for a TV show. Elise, with a background in business and 10 years of Tech Sales, in addition to authoring the book, Sign Me Up For A Happy Home, is currently in the middle of building several investment homes.
Of course, the busy couple always makes time to foster family togetherness.
“Our favorite thing to do as a family has anything to do with water,” says Golden. “We love being in a pool, lake, or ocean.” This year, they went to the Bahamas, where they taught the kids how to wake surf and tube, and recently visited Smith Lake in Alabama.
The couple shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. “Our goal is to model a life that’s full, but grounded — rooted in faith, driven by values, and always making room for love and laughter.”
To follow Golden and Elise Tate and to learn more about the Golden Future Foundation, visit the website and check out their social media. If you’d like to donate, you can Venmo: @GoldenFutureFDN
GoldenTate.com/Foundation
@showtimetate
@mrsshowtimetate
"Elise and I come from different paths but share the same core: grit, faith, and a deep love for family. We hope our children can see the passion and servant hearts we have towards God’s people. We hope they understand that giving to others is much more satisfying than receiving.”