NEW ORLEANS, La. - Former Belhaven defensive back Tramaine Brock is headed to the Super Bowl after the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game. Brock is the first Belhaven football player to make it to the NFL and in turn becomes the first former player to play in the Super Bowl. Brock talked about his experience at Belhaven and now as a player in the NFL.
 
What did you take away from Belhaven that helped your game in the NFL?
 
“What I took away from Belhaven that helped my game in the NFL was focus and determination.  While at Belhaven, I had to focus more and work harder in my last year to get to the next level.“
 
Tell us a little about your time at Belhaven. 
 
“I enjoyed my time at Belhaven and I made some good friends there.  I still keep in touch with Coach Joe Thrasher. He is really the only coach I keep up with. Beside a coach I gained a friend at Belhaven.”
 
What led you to BU?
 
“I talked to one of my teammates from junior college and he attended Belhaven and told me about it. One of the main reasons was because I talked with Coach Thrasher.  He keep talking to me about it, giving me updates about what was going on at BU and telling me how they do things there.  I went with it and I felt it was the right way to go.”
 
Do you see Coach Thrasher as a mentor and a leader impacted your life?
 
“Coach Thrasher is more than a coach to me. Football isn't the only thing he cares about. He cares and loves football, but he puts people first in life.”
 
What was it like on Sunday when you made the final tackle of the game?
 
“It was a nail-bitter, both teams played a great game. Everybody in the NFL wants to play in a super bowl game, almost every player makes that a goal. At that moment I was thinking about how great it would be winning the super bowl in New Orleans.”
 
“After I made the last tackle on the punt, that is when we felt like we had captured the game. It was a close game throughout.”
 
Does it make it special to be playing nearby where you grew up?
 
“Playing near my hometown makes it much better for me, my home is only an hour away. People will be close by to come and enjoy and experience with me.  I will be right next to home. It will be a great experience especially if we win it and take it all.  I am looking forward to it.”
 
What do you like most about playing football?
 
“When I was young, my dad got me started playing football and I just loved running around and playing it with friends. My love for the game developed over time. When I was in high school, my God-given talent started to develop.”
 
“When I got into the NFL there was more competition and I have always been competitive.  I wanted to be the best and realized that I would have to not only love the game, but work harder and use the competition to keep me going.”
 
Do you have any pre game traditions you can tell us about or how do you get psyched-up before a game?
 
“Listen to some music and stretch, but when I was in high school my mom would always pray and read a bible verse before the game.”
 
How have you seen your game progress since you started with the 49ers? 
 
“In my third year, I am on more special teams and making more plays.  I have gained a lot of experience and when I have to step up on defense I am ready and confident.”
 
 What kind of role does God play in football and in your life?
 
“In football, God just gave me a talent and athleticism when I was younger. I was just faster and more athletic than some of the other guys I was around. And now I have to work and work harder, because God gave other people some great abilities as well.”
 
“My relationship with God really started to grow when I had hit some hard times in Minnesota. While in my junior year, I built my relationship with him, praying more and realizing who God was. It took me to another level with life and football.
 
“Everything worked out from there with me making my decision to go to Belhaven I felt that God played a big part in it. He has made my life better. It is important for me to maintain my relationship with Him on and off the field.“
 
“Belhaven helped solidify my relationship with God. Belhaven is a Christian school and me going there was a great experience. I was around love and grace and they helped out for the best.”
 
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 will be broadcast on CBS.