Dan Fouts

Dan Fouts (born June 10 1951 in San Francisco, California) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987.

Related Topics:
June 10 - 1951 - San Francisco - California - American football - Quarterback - National Football League - San Diego Chargers - 1973 - 1987

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Drafted in the third round out of the University of Oregon, Fouts helped lead the Chargers to the playoffs from 1979 to 1982 and twice to the AFC title game. Fouts played in the Pro Bowl six times (1979 - 1983 and 1985) and was elected to three. He led the league four times in passing yards; ending his career with over 40,000, the third player to surpass that landmark. Fouts was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Related Topics:
University of Oregon - 1979 - 1982 - Pro Bowl - 1983 - 1985 - Pro Football Hall of Fame - 1993

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Fouts first few years in the league were inauspicious, but with the arrival of Don "Air" Coryell in 1978 the Chargers fortunes turned. Yet it was actually two years earlier, with the arrival of Bill Walsh as the Charger's offensive coordinator, that the seeds of success were planted. Under Coryell, the Chargers were known for the deep passing game and the involvement of the tight end as a key receiver. This required a tough, intelligent quarterback with a strong arm. Fouts filled the bill. In his prime, Fouts was not a mobile quarterback and the deep passing game led to many hits. Fouts ability to take punishment and still play at a very high level is unique. Rarely using the shotgun, Fouts would drop back from center and look for one of a bevy of great receivers. Wide receiver Charlie Joiner and tight end Kellen Winslow were the most famous, both now in the Hall of Fame, but John Jefferson and Wes Chandler, among others, were key. Pass protection was also critical for such an offense. The Chargers had a good pass blocking offensive line which included Don Macek, Ed White, and Billy Shields.

Related Topics:
Don "Air" Coryell - 1978 - Bill Walsh - Shotgun - Charlie Joiner - Kellen Winslow - John Jefferson - Wes Chandler - Don Macek - Ed White - Billy Shields

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Despite going to the playoffs from 1979 through 1982, the Chargers never went to the Super Bowl under Fouts (although going many years after his retirement). Usually this is attributed to poor defense—yet the Chargers defense led the league in 1978. In later years the defense was not as stellar, but the running game became far better. The defense was great when the passing game was just starting to gel, and as the offense became truly great, the defense was slipping a notch from championship form. Overall, the Chargers achieved three wins against four losses in the playoffs under Fouts.

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Fouts' jersey number, 14, is one of two such numbers retired by the Chargers.

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Currently, Dan Fouts enjoys a second career, as a sportscaster for ABC.

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