Fouts Criticizes Chargers, Refers Matter to His Agent

Dan Fouts, who has gone from having a conciliatory attitude to a critical one, said Saturday that if Charger owner Alex Spanos wants to discuss the veteran quarterback’s future with the club, Spanos should do so with Fouts’ agent.

Fouts, who did not dress for Saturday night’s exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys, said from his seat in the coaches’ box at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium that he sent the phone number of his agent, Howard Slusher, to Spanos via a messenger Saturday afternoon.

“If he (Spanos) wants to discuss our future . . . at this point, it has turned into such a circus, I would rather let my representative handle it,” Fouts said at halftime. “If he (Spanos) would like to negotiate, he can talk to my agent.”

But when asked Friday about having a meeting with Spanos, Fouts had said: “Well, I don’t know if that would be better or not. I’d be willing to try.”

On Thursday, Fouts told reporters he would be happy to play under his current contract, which will pay him $750,000 this year and next. Saturday, however, Fouts said he would prefer that Spanos keep the discussion of his future a private matter.

“I am under contract,” Fouts said, “but nowhere in my contract does it say I have to talk to management when they have turned a private situation into a public one.”

Fouts then lashed out at the Charger management, saying: “I’ve been with this organization for 15 years, and for the past four or five months, the attitude and the personality of the organization has changed drastically.”

Fouts said the entire situation involving his contract is “very confusing to me.”

Part of the confusion has centered on whether Fouts, who has been limited in training camp to passing on the sidelines because of a strained back, ever passed his physical. Steve Ortmayer, director of football operations, said Fouts has not passed the physical, although earlier, the Chargers reported that Fouts had passed it.

“A guy can’t pass his physical until he can go out on the field,” Ortmayer said Saturday.

Upon hearing that news, Fouts laughed. Fouts said E. Lee Rice, the team doctor, told him two weeks ago that he passed the physical.

When Fouts was asked Saturday whether he rejected a $1-million offer to play this season, he laughed again.

“I would have to be a fool to turn down $1 million,” Fouts said.

But Wednesday, Spanos said Fouts had rejected the offer.

Spanos also said last week that if a deal between Fouts and the team cannot be reached, Fouts may be traded. When asked if Spanos or Ortmayer ever discussed a trade with him, Fouts said Saturday: “I would rather not discuss what they have talked about concerning my future.”

Spanos, from the stadium, said Saturday that he has not issued an ultimatum to Fouts. Spanos did say that he would like to have the matter closed soon.

“I would love to have him (Fouts) come up to me and say he wants to play,” Spanos said. “It’s all up to Dan. He’s told everyone else (that he would play for the $750,000 contract).”

Fouts maintains that the issue is now between Spanos and Slusher.

Fouts, who was approached by reporters in the closing minutes of the first half, said he is not bitter.

“Bitter is not an emotion I feel,” he said. “I’m anxious to get on the field and play football.”