January 29, 2012 (New Orleans) - Former Belhaven defensive back Tramaine Brock will take the field for the San Francisco 49ers as they take on the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, becoming the first former Belhaven football player to make it to the super stage of the Super Bowl.
A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, Brock is in his third season with the 49ers after finishing his senior football season at Belhaven in 2009. Brock has collected a career-high 16 tackles in 16 games this season for San Francisco as a defensive back and member of the special teams. Brock's total career numbers include 25 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defended, and one forced fumble.
"As soon as the NFC Championship game was over, I was elated for Tramaine," said Belhaven head coach Joe Thrasher. "He has worked so hard earning his spot on the roster after coming into the NFL as a free agent. For the past three years he has continued to achieve as a phenomenal football player. He is a great representation of Belhaven and the state of Mississippi. The opportunity for him to be in the Super Bowl is tremendous, and I have no doubt that he will go out there and play well. We are proud of him making it that far."
Brock recalls his Belhaven days fondly, and has tremendous respect for the Blazer's coach Thrasher. "Coach Thrasher is more than a coach to me," Brock said. "Football isn't the only thing he cares about. He cares about and loves football, but he puts people first in his life."
In 2009 as a Blazer, Brock had a team high six interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. Brock tied the Belhaven single season record for most interceptions and compiled 51 total tackles with 2.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss. Brock also returned kicks for the Blazers averaging 17.4 yards per return with a long of 55 yards. Brock was named to the Mid-South Conference Western Division All-Conference Team.
San Francisco will be playing for its sixth Super Bowl title when the team battles the Baltimore Ravens in New Orleans on Sunday, February 3rd. The kickoff is slated for 5:30 PM CST, and the game will be broadcast on CBS.
See the additional articles written about Tramaine Brock as seen in the New York Times and the Clarion Ledger.
New York Times article on Tramaine Brock and Belhaven University
Clarion-Ledger article: Brock's road from Belhaven to Super Bowl circuitous one.
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Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of “America's 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs. In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts - music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Belhaven University serves over 3,700 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.