Dan Fouts Biography - San Diego Chargers

Dan Fouts Biography

San Diego Chargers NFL Quarterback

As the San Diego Chargers' backup quarterback in 1973, Dan Fouts watched in awe aas his teammate and idol Johnny Unitas became the first quarterback in NFL history to top the 40,000 yard mark.  Without a single pro pass to his credit, Dan Fouts hoped that, when he was called upon, he could perform half as well as his hero.  Over the next 15 years, Fouts proved that he could, and more.

His first five seasons as a starter were the most difficult.  Behind a porous offensive line, he took a frightening beating en route to a 22-47 record.  It wasn't until 1978 that his strong and accurate arm was put to its most effective use.

That year, Don Coryell took over as San Diego's head coach and set about bolstering the offense. Don Coryell built a solid line around his rugged quarterback and invested his full confidence in Dan Fouts ability to read defenses andthink on his feet.  Suddenly, after some pretty lean years, Fouts had the pass protection he needed and the green light to air it out.

Throwing between 35 and 40 times a game, Fouts was awesome, leading the NFL in passing from 1979 to 1982.  While Joe Namath was the only other quarterback to pass for over 4,000 yards in one season, Dan fouts did it three straight times, bringing three AFC West crowns to the San Diego Chargers.  In one 1981 game against the Oakland Raiders, he threw six touchdown strikes.  In the playoffs that season, he led the San Diego Chargers over the Miami Dolphins with 433 yards in the air.

By 1986, San Diego's passing game (nicknamed Air Coryell) had revolutionized football. Other teams realized they, too, could thrive using an aerial attack.  In the process, Dan Fouts moved ahead of Johnny Unitas on the all time quarterback passing yardage list.  He never considered himself a better quarterback than his idol, but Fouts knew he belonged in the same league.

Dan Fouts Timeline Biography

• Born: June 10, 1951 -Father is the 49ers radio voice
• Age 8: Works as 49ers ballboy
• Age 10: Switched from end to quarterback in Pop Warner football
• Age 15: Plays football, basketball and baseball at St. Ignatius High School
• Age 17: Leads football team to city title.  Accepts scholarship to University of Oregon
• Age 19: Passes for 2,333 yards and 16 touchdowns in sophomore year.
• Age 21: Named All-Pac-8 and Oregon MVP in senior year. Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in third round.
• 1973 : Dan Fouts passes for two TDs in first start
• 1979 : Leads NFL with 4,082 passing yards.
• 1982 : Averages 321 yards per game. Named NFL MVP
• 1985 : Plays in sixth Pro Bowl Game

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