Steve Burton (sports journalist)
Steve Burton is a television sports reporter for WBZ-TV and WSBK-TV in Boston. The son of former Boston Patriots player Ron Burton, Steve Burton grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Northwestern University holding a bachelor of science degree in Communications and a master's degree in Broadcast journalism. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and four children.
Career
Starting in 1993, Burton worked as a sports anchor and reporter for New England Sports Network (NESN), hosting the pre and post game shows for the Boston Red Sox.
In 1994, Burton joined WBZ-TV where he has worked as a sports reporter and sports anchor. He also appears on the weekly program Sports Final and fills in as host when Bob Lobel is away. He also appears on the stations Patriots 5th Quarter show.
Burton is also a frequent guest on WEEI's The Big Show certain times of the year. Nicknamed "vest" for his sharp dress, Burton is occasionally criticized for showing up late on the radio and is also ribbed for his appetite, as he ate nine large slices of pizza on the air during a 2009 broadcast.
Burton is a friend of controversial former baseball player Jose Canseco and has featured Canseco on an occasional weekend show he hosts on WEEI, most famously on October 14, 2007 during the New England Patriots' game against the Dallas Cowboys, though the football game was never mentioned as the subject was baseball's continuing steroids controversy. Burton also has arranged interviews with Canseco for WEEI.
Burton became WBZ's sports director following Bob Lobel's firing in early April 2008.
Burton's daughters are currently division I athletes at Lehigh University and Villanova playing basketball.
Community service
Burton spends time working at the Ron Burton Training Village, a 5-week sports camp for inner city youths. That organization awarded him the MIAA/Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2003. He also serves as a board member on several children's charities including the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.