Few people love the Chargers more than Dan Fouts.
One of the most beloved players in franchise history, the Bolts Hall of Fame quarterback said this week that he likes the vibe and energy around the squad as spring practices come to a close next week.
"I'm very excited about this year," Fouts said this week at the fifth annual Chargers Invitational golf tournament. "I think [Chargers Head] Coach [Jim] Harbaugh has got the team already headed in the right direction.
"I appreciate his passion and his experience and the fact he was a Charger quarterback, it all fits just perfectly," Fouts added.
Fouts spent 15 seasons as the Bolts quarterback and was held essentially every team passing record when he retired in 1987.
And while those stats have since been surpassed by Philip Rivers, Fouts elite standing in franchise history is unquestioned.
A two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Fouts said threw for more than 43,000 yards and 254 touchdowns while leading one high-octane Chargers offense after another.
Even now, the 72-year-old said he bleeds powder blue.
"I'm a huge fan. This is my team … and it's good to be able to follow a team that's on the rise," Fouts said. "And I kind of like that quarterback too, you know. I've been following him for a long time."
Fouts, of course, was talking about Justin Herbert, who followed the same path of playing at Oregon and also being drafted by the Chargers.
"He's so good. And he's such a good kid," Fouts said. "I've known his family for a long time, very good friends with his grandpa.
"And you talk about a bond, well, birds of a feather flock together, you know? We were all Ducks at one point," Fouts added.
We're fourth months away from the Harbaugh Era opening up in Week 1 against the Raiders.
It's a good bet that Fouts will be pulling for the current and former Chargers quarterbacks to bring success to the Bolts in 2024 and beyond.
