The Athletic offers live coverage of Monday Night Football, featuring the Chargers vs Jets. The log house that Dan Fouts has called home for nearly four decades is located on a volcanic ridgetop in the Oregon backcountry, surrounded by seven snowcapped mountains and 40 acres of ponderosa pines. Fouts, a Hall of Fame quarterback, has come to appreciate the refuge as he grows older. He admits to having some regrets from his playing days, particularly in regards to how he treated his teammates. Fouts was known for being ruthless and hot-tempered, often wearing a hat that read “MFIC” to assert his authority. But he believes that having a confident and arrogant quarterback is necessary for success. The San Diego Chargers during the late 1970s and 80s were ahead of their time and had a colorful and controversial reputation. The team faced off-field issues, including rumors of Fouts being involved in a shooting and accusations of players using cocaine during an AFC Championship Game. Despite the challenges, Fouts remembers a turning point for him in 1978 when coach Don Coryell introduced a new play that sparked hope for the Chargers’ offense. Coryell’s system was innovative and influenced many aspects of modern NFL offenses. Fouts excelled in Coryell’s offense, using his touch and anticipation to execute the deep shots. He was known for his toughness and dedication, always staying in the pocket and taking hits, while expecting his teammates to be focused and ready. Fouts’ teammates respected his commitment and considered him the toughest quarterback they had ever played with. Despite the challenges and hardships, Fouts saw it as his responsibility and obligation as a quarterback to take hits and stay in the game. The Chargers’ offense was stacked with talented players, which contributed to their success.
