FOXBORO, Mass. — Gerard Warren was emotional Sunday night while reflecting on his relationship with Raiders owner Al Davis, who died Saturday.
Warren played for the Raiders from 2007-09 before joining the Patriots last season, so he knew Davis better than any player in the New England locker room.
"We lost a great one," Warren said. "I had the utmost respect for him, his knowledge of the game, the way he treated people. Words really can't describe him."
Warren said he spent a lot of time with Davis during evening weight-lifting sessions at the facility, saying Davis was always trying to stay as healthy as possible. That's where he got to know him the best.
"We spent a lot of sessions in the weight room late in the evenings, believe it or not," Warren said with a big smile. "He was working out until the end. I know that for a fact. He lifted weights. He did whatever he could to try to be here for as many days as possible."
Warren was truly impressed by how diligently Davis worked to know his players as deeply as possible. He recalled his very first conversation with Davis and noted how surprised he was by how much background work Davis had already done on him.
"He actually described two of my houses to me when I first [walked into the building]," Warren said. "I was like, 'How did you know that information?' He was in depth with his players, knowing his players, knowing situations, being able to talk to them and relate. At the end of the day, all he said was, 'I expect your best. Be proud to be a Raider.'"
