Fouts Denies Seeking--or Rejecting--a New Contract Offer From Chargers

An angry Dan Fouts, denying he was seeking a new contract, said Thursday he was never offered a $250,000 raise by the San Diego Chargers.

That statement created the bizarre situation of a signed player who was in camp being threatened with a trade because he turned down a raise he claimed he did not solicit.

On Wednesday, team owner Alex Spanos issued a statement in which he said he would trade the 15-year veteran because Fouts had solicited and then refused a raise that would have boosted his salary to $1 million a year.

“I really don’t want to dignify that statement with a comment,” said Fouts, 36, who has been in camp for two weeks but has been on restricted duty because of a lower back strain.

“I’m following orders, receiving treatments. I’m stepping up my practice every day,” Fouts said.

Spanos said in his statement that Fouts and agent Howard Slusher had approached him and said the team would have to pay Fouts more money if he was to remain with the Chargers.

“I offered Dan $1 million to play for the Chargers this year,” Spanos said. “This offer was turned down by Dan and his representative.”

The statement concluded by saying that the only alternative was to trade Fouts. Coach Al Saunders said he had not been asked for his input on any possible trades.

Fouts said: “Mr. Slusher and Mr. Spanos have not talked for three months. I don’t know where they are coming from.”