By Monique Walker, Globe Staff

Richard Seymour described the last few days as a whirlwind since the Patriots traded him to the Oakland Raiders for a 2011 first-round draft pick six days ago. But before Seymour could leave for the West Coast, he said he had to make plans for his family.

"Since I got the call that I was being traded, my life has really been a whirlwind," Seymour said during a press conference earlier tonight. "I've really been blindsided by the events that took place. I didn't expect it. I didn't understand what was going on. So when something happens and you're blindsided, you have to step back and realize what situation you're in.

"And my thought within was, hold on, I can’t go anywhere at this point. I have four young kids. Well, actually five kids; I have guardianship over my young cousin. And just had a lot going on. With young kids in school – I’ve got a 2-year-old, a 4-year-old, a 6-year-old, a 7-year-old, and had one just started football this year in the ninth grade."

Seymour's locker (Raiders.com)

Seymour wore No. 92 and was joined by Raiders coach Tom Cable and owner Al Davis as he rehashed the last few days. Seymour said he was ready to join the Raiders, but was thankful for his time in New England.

"I’m thankful that they drafted me in the 2001 draft with the sixth draft pick overall, and to the Kraft family, I thank you for that," Seymour said. "And to my teammates in New England, we’ve had a lot of great years together, won a lot of football games."

Seymour said Patriots coach Bill Belichick called him and informed him about the trade.

"He thanked me for the years there in New England, that thought they were doing what was best long-term for their football team, and I said, 'OK,' you know, and from that point, I really didn’t know which way to go, didn’t know which way to turn.

"I told my wife, and she didn’t believe me. Things just kind of transpired, and I talked to a lot of different people that were influential in my life, and I’m glad to be sitting on this stage here today."

Seymour said that throughout the process he expressed to the Raiders that he wanted to play for them.

“As I’ve said before, it was a lot of issues that I had to resolve, as far as my family is concerned, because from the way that I look at it, it’s my faith, my family and then football, and I try to handle things in that order," said Seymour.

"And football had to be on hold for a while, but I assured everyone that I wanted to play for the Raiders, and I just needed a minute to breathe, I needed to focus in on how would I make this work, how would I make this transition, when is it going to happen? I mean, just so many issues that I had to work out."

Seymour also said he is hopeful to play in Oakland's season opener against San Diego Monday night.

"One thing I can assure Raider nation is I was (No. 93), I'm 92 now and 92 is ready to play some football, and I'm ready to kick things off on Monday night," he said.