Charleston, SC | Breaking News, Sports, WeatherFrom Timberland to the Super Bowl: The White Family

From Timberland to the Super Bowl: The White Family

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV)-- The White family photo album is far from full, but New England Patriots linebacker Tracy White's mom, Patricia, is sure to add a few new pictures on Sunday.  

"It's real, I didn't expect it to be," she said. "I put my bags out, and every touch down they
score I put clothes in there to know I'm close.  This time is pretty good; I can't wait to get
there."

'There' is Indianapolis, home of the Super Bowl, and she can't wait to see her son play in his first one.  

Tracy played for Howard University and has played in the NFL for nearly a decade, but this is his
first time playing in the Super Bowl.

Tracy's sister, Akia, says her brother has always had her back.  "He was overprotective, he threw guys in trash cans at school."

Now Akia can't wait to have her big brothers back on the biggest day of his career.  "Last year,
they almost made it, watching last Sunday's game thinking, oh boy, don't get hopes up too high, but they made it so we're going."  

Tracy's father Emanuel is legally blind so its too difficult for him to make the trip, he'll watch
it here at home but with the bond that he shares with his son- it would truly be a moving moment to hear number 58's name on Super Bowl Sunday.  

"It would be a feeling I would never feel again. It would really be once in a lifetime" says
Emanuel.  

"It's a very important moment for Tracy," says Patricia. "As long as he's playing ball his dad is
one of his strong inspirations.  His Dad won't be there, but he'll be watching on the widescreen
and he will relish this moment for a long time and can't wait to spend time when he gets home like they normally do"   

Akia believes his dad is the one that instilled the competitive drive in her brother.

They are a tight knit, small town family.  They've followed Tracy's every step since his dominating days at Timberland High School.  

"We didn't think at first this would happen.  We thought he'd go in the military. I told him not
to, give it a bit more time.  Somehow, he went to college and he's now in the NFL and getting that chance, this is his biggest chance to play in the Super Bowl." Says the proud Mom.  

His father echoes that sentiment.  "Its an event, I'm so proud of him.  He knows he was going to make the pros ever since Sertoma.  I never see the game live, but television is my ringside seat." 

This family, truly behind Tracy since his small Berkeley County beginnings, certainly wouldn't miss this super event.