Sharks Ink Playmaking Defensive Back Belton
Published on February 6, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release
JACKSONVILLE - The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Wednesday that the team has made another significant addition in free agency, as veteran defensive back Tracy Belton has been assigned to the team's roster on a two-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Tracy is a player whose performance over the last three years speaks for itself," Sharks head coach Les Moss said. "He's been a playmaking defensive back since he first came into the league, and we've seen plenty of him during his time in our division. We're very excited to have him aboard."
The 28-year-old Belton heads to Jacksonville for what will be his fourth season in the Arena Football League. He spent each of the last two years with the Georgia Force, and is coming off a stellar 2012 performance that earned him a spot on the All-Arena Second Team. Belton totaled 54.5 tackles (49 solo), nine pass breakups and a team high of 11 interceptions, returning those picks for a total of 124 yards and a score. He also recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble.
Belton put together this standout season despite missing six games after suffering a mid-season injury. Belton returned from injured reserve to start the Force's final two regular season contests and played in the team's postseason meeting with the Sharks on Sea Best Field.
In 2011, Belton led the Georgia secondary in his first season with the team, notching team-high totals of 101.5 tackles (92 solo) and nine interceptions. He racked up 124 return yards and a touchdown off of those interceptions, and recorded two interceptions in a single game on two separate occasions that season. Belton also ranked second among all Force defenders with 11 pass breakups.
Belton made his AFL debut with the Milwaukee Iron in 2010, making an immediate impact with 100.5 total tackles (83 solo), seven interceptions, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble return touchdowns, impressively leading the team in each of those four categories.
Before heading to the AFL, Belton enjoyed a standout career at the University of Massachusetts, where he started the final 41 games of his career in the Minuteman secondary. As a senior in 2006, Belton earned a spot on the All-Atlantic 10 First Team, racking up 77 tackels, 8.0 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and a pass breakup.
Belton is a native of Landover, Maryland and attended Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.
Arena Football League Stories from February 6, 2013
- Sharks Ink Playmaking Defensive Back Belton - Jacksonville Sharks
- Sharks Snag All-Arena Defender Dusty Bear - Jacksonville Sharks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
