Raiders owner Al Davis praises late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner

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Raiders owner Al Davis released a statement Wednesday sharing his thoughts on his friend George Steinbrenner, the Yankees owner who died Tuesday at 80.

Some of Davis’ comments about Steinbrenner:

-- ‘He was a friend and a warrior. We not only shared a birthday (July 4, one year apart), but also an unyielding will to win and an unparalleled commitment to excellence.’

-- ‘I judge sports figures based on individual achievement, team achievement and contributions to the game. George was right up there with me at No. 1 -- bright, aggressive and, most of all, not afraid.’

-- ‘When the Yankees were going through the lean times in the ‘80s and after we beat the Redskins in the Super Bowl in Tampa, George and I would talk and I would pep him up. Later on, he did the same for me when Tampa beat us in the Super Bowl.’

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Left photo: Al Davis in 1999. Credit: John David Mercer / Associated Press

Right photo: George Steinbrenner in 1997. Credit: Ray Stubblebine / Reuters