The linebacker duo of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman hold a special place in the hearts of the Niner Faithful. San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker Fred Warner, who was a third-round selection in April, missed playing with Bowman by one year. He hopes to one day have his name spoken in the same breath as the talented linebackers who came before him.
Warner joined KNBR on Thursday night and briefly discussed trying to live up to the standard Willis and Bowman set in San Francisco.
"Those guys set [the bar] pretty high, obviously," Warner said. "They are legends around here. Obviously, I have to try to meet that expectation, and that holds a lot of weight, puts a lot of weight on my shoulders. I feel like I'm built for it and I just try to grind every single day to improve to reach that level someday. I just take it one day at a time."
Warner also discussed the surreal experience of being in his first NFL season and lining up against players he grew up watching and admiring.
"That first preseason game was kind of where I was starstruck," Warner said. "I didn't even play in that game. It was against the Cowboys, and I see Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, dudes like that. They walk out for the coin toss, and I'm standing there like, 'Man, those dudes are right there.'"
Since then, Warner has started each of the 49ers' nine games this season. He has accumulated 73 combined tackles, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble during his rookie campaign.
Warner's tackle total leads the defense and ranks No. 5 overall in the NFL. That doesn't mean he has gotten over being starstruck, at times.
"It's for sure still surreal when I'm lined up out there at Lambeau Field away from Aaron Rodgers," Warner continued. "It's crazy to think about it now, but in the moment, you're just playing football."
You can listen to the entire interview with Warner below.
Fred Warner sends clear message about Brock Purdy's new 49ers contract
By David Bonilla
14 hrs
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner hosted his annual ProCamps youth football event over the weekend at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, working with kids in grades 1 through 8. During the camp, participants had the chance to ask the All-Pro questions—one...
Why Fred Warner believes 49ers' rookie defenders are ready to shine
By David Bonilla
11 hrs
Over the weekend, NBC Sports Bay Area caught up with Fred Warner at his annual ProCamps youth football event at St. Francis High School in Mountain View. The San Francisco 49ers linebacker is eager to get back to work this offseason. But, as is often the case year to year, the...
49ers signing Fred Warner to a 3-year, $63M contract extension
By David Bonilla
10 hrs
The San Francisco 49ers are signing star linebacker Fred Warner to a three-year, $63 million contract extension, per multiple reports. The deal reportedly includes $56.7 million guaranteed, keeps Warner with the team through 2029, and makes him the NFL's highest-paid...
Fowler: With Brock Purdy's deal done, 49ers must shift focus to Fred Warner
By David Bonilla
May 17
The San Francisco 49ers have checked off the biggest item on their offseason to-do list, agreeing to a five-year, $256 million contract extension with quarterback Brock Purdy. That deal follows the team making All-Pro George Kittle the NFL's highest-paid tight end.
But the...
