29 greatest NFL players to never win a Super Bowl
By Mike Dyce
22. Dan Fouts
San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts was ahead of his time when he played in the NFL. When Fouts retired, he was one of three players to pass the 40,000 yards passing mark (the other two being Fran Tarkenton and Johnny Unitas).
Fouts broke Joe Namath’s single-season passing record of 4,007 yards in three consecutive seasons from 1979 to 1981 with totals of 4,082, 4,715, and 4,802 yards respectively. Fouts was the first person to eclipse the 4,000 yards passing mark in a season in three consecutive seasons, which fell during a four-year stretch when Fouts led the league in passing.
It was Fouts’ single-season record that Dan Marino would then go on to break.
Aside from the records, Fout was a six-time Pro Bowler, a four time All-Pro and was named the NFL MVP in 1982 by the Pro Football Writers’ Association. That season the Associated Press named Fouts the Offensive Player of the Year.
Fouts would have his jersey retired by the Chargers and would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Fouts and the Chargers never reached the Super Bowl, but got close twice. Fouts’ teams reached the AFC Championship game in 1980 and again in 1981, losing to Oakland and Cinicinnati.
Next: 21. LaDainian Tomlinson