General Manager Reggie McKenzie, Cornerback Gareon Conley, Head Coach Jack Del Rio
Oakland Raiders 2017 first round pick Gareon Conley was in attendance at the team's facility in Alameda, Calif., Friday afternoon to hold his introductory press conference. During his time at the podium, he expressed his excitement to join the Silver and Black, and said that he has already felt the love from Raider Nation.
Here are the quick hits from his media session:
**Conley spoke about his leadership approach.
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"I was captain this past year and a leader on the secondary. I felt like I earned that right through my experience and just how I handled myself on and off the field. A lot of the young guys looked up to me and always came to me for questions. That's how I was when I came in. A lot of the older people Doran [Grant] and [Bradley] Roby they showed me how to be a leader in the secondary. What to do on and off the field, in the weight room, practice habits, games. Just leading by action mostly."
The newest addition to the secondary talked about connecting with Raiders cornerback Sean Smith.
"It's an honor to be a teammate of his and just be a part of Raider Nation. I hadn't talked to him before that previously. Somebody had told me that he shouted me out, so I wanted to get back to him and show my appreciation."
He shared what it means to join the Raiders.
"Like I said, it's an honor to come from somewhere like Ohio State into a program like this. It's like a more rich program than Ohio State. So being in Black and Silver, I see all the fans, they show me so much love already and I haven't even been here yet. It's just an honor to be here."
**Conley expressed how he felt when he received the call he had been drafted.
An exclusive look at our first round selection Gareon Conley as he arrives at our facility for the first time.
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"It was a short turnaround, but I know last night when I got that call I couldn't even hear the phone call because my family just tackled me as soon as I put my phone to my ear. Like I said, I've just been shaking ever since. It's just unreal. This is the most proud I've ever been of myself in my life because this is like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm just thankful to have it."
He recalled facing now Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams in college.
"He was a great receiver. I was watching film on him all year and I knew he was projected high. That battle in the game, it was a real good battle. I feel like he's probably one of the best receivers I went against all year last year. Props to him. But, I'm always going to compete against him and I look forward to seeing him again."
