Dan Fouts
Inducted:
1993
Player Stats
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
204 lb (93 kg)
Born:
June 10, 1951
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Position:
Quarterback
College:
Oregon (1969–1972)
Daniel Francis Fouts was the electric quarterback of the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987. He became the face of the innovative “Air Coryell” offense under coach Don Coryell, guiding one of football’s first high-powered aerial attacks. Fouts led the NFL in passing yards four straight seasons (1979–1982), breaking the 4,000‑yard barrier in three consecutive years—unprecedented at the time.
His sharp arm and leadership lifted the Chargers to three AFC West titles and two AFC Championship Game appearances, though a Super Bowl remained elusive. Over 15 seasons spanning 181 games, he threw for 43,040 yards and 254 touchdowns, while rushing for 476 yards and 13 scores.
Fouts was a six‑time Pro Bowler, earned two First‑team All‑Pro selections, and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1982. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (1993)
Fouts' Awards and Honors
- 2× First-team All-Pro (1979, 1982)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1980, 1985)
- 6× Pro Bowl (1979–1983, 1985)
- 4× NFL passing yards leader (1979–1982)
- 2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1981, 1982)
- San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team
- Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame
- First-team All-Pac-8 (1972)
NFL Records
- NFL completion percentage leader (1979)
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1982)
- First QB to throw for 4,000+ yards in 3 straight seasons (1979–1981)
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year
NFL Teams
San Diego Chargers (1973–1987)
NFL Draft:
1973: 3rd round, 64th pick
San Diego Chargers
Number Worn:
21
NFL Stats
Seasons:
15 (1973–1987)
Games played:
181
Passing attempts:
5,604
Passing completions:
3,297
Completion percentage:
58.8%
TD–INT:
254–242
Passing yards:
43,040
Passer rating:
80.2
Rushing yards:
476
Rushing touchdowns:
13