Montana Fouts is a star softball pitcher for the Alabama Crimson Tide, who recently pitched a perfect game against UCLA in the 2021 Women’s College World Series. Dan Fouts is a Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers in the NFL for 15 seasons. Both of them share the same last name and a passion for sports, but are they related?
Montana Fouts: A Softball Phenom
Montana Fouts was born on June 4, 2000, in Charleston, West Virginia. She moved to Grayson, Kentucky, with her mother and stepfather after her biological parents divorced. She has one brother, Cody, and two sisters, Madison and Makayla. She attended East Carter High School, where she was a dominant pitcher and a three-time Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year. She also won several national awards, including the USA Today All-USA High School Player of the Year and the MaxPreps National Softball Player of the Year in 2018.
Fouts committed to Alabama in 2014, during her freshman year of high school. She made her debut for the Crimson Tide in 2019, and quickly established herself as one of the best pitchers in college softball. She was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and a Second Team All-American in 2019. She led Alabama to the Women’s College World Series twice, in 2019 and 2021. In 2021, she had a sensational season, going 27-4 with a 1.61 ERA and 349 strikeouts. She also won several honors, including the NFCA National Pitcher of the Year, the Softball America Pitcher of the Year, the Honda Sports Award for softball, and the SEC Co-Pitcher of the Year. She was also a First Team All-American and a WCWS All-Tournament Team selection.
Fouts made history on June 4, 2021, her 21st birthday, when she threw a perfect game against UCLA in the semifinals of the WCWS. She became only the fifth pitcher to achieve this feat in WCWS history, and the first since 2000. She struck out 14 batters and retired all 21 she faced in a dominant performance that helped Alabama advance to the championship series against Oklahoma. Although Alabama lost to Oklahoma in three games, Fouts was widely praised for her remarkable season and her historic perfect game.
Dan Fouts: A Football Legend
Dan Fouts was born on June 10, 1951, in San Francisco, California. He attended Marin Catholic High School and St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco. He played college football at Oregon, where he was an All-Pac-8 quarterback and set several school records. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft.
Fouts played for the Chargers for his entire career, from 1973 to 1987. He became one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, leading the league in passing yards four consecutive years from 1979 to 1982. He was also the first player to throw for over 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, breaking the NFL single-season record for passing yards each time. He led the Chargers to three AFC West division titles and two AFC championship games in 1980 and 1981. He was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1982 and the AFC Player of the Year in 1979 and 1982. He was also a six-time Pro Bowler, a two-time First Team All-Pro, and a two-time Second Team All-Pro. He was selected to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and had his number 14 retired by the Chargers.
Fouts retired after the 1987 season with 43,040 passing yards and 254 touchdowns. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, his first year of eligibility. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and one of the pioneers of the modern passing game.
The Verdict: No Relation
Despite their common surname and their athletic achievements, Montana Fouts and Dan Fouts are not related to each other. They have different backgrounds, different origins, and different family trees. There is no evidence that they have any blood or marital connection whatsoever.
Montana Fouts has said that she is often asked if she is related to Dan Fouts, but she always denies it. She has also said that she admires Dan Fouts as a football player and respects his legacy, but she does not know him personally or have any contact with him.
Dan Fouts has not commented publicly on Montana Fouts or her softball career, but he is likely aware of her accomplishments and her perfect game. He may also be flattered by the association, but he has not claimed any kinship with her.
Therefore, the rumor that Montana Fouts and Dan Fouts are related is false. They are both outstanding athletes in their own right, but they are not family. They are simply two Fouts who have made their mark in sports history.
