Dan Fouts Praises Dan Lanning's 'Perfect' Response After Dante Moore Injury

Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts lauded Oregon head coach Dan Lanning for his response to a severe injury sustained by quarterback Dante Moore during the Ducks' recent game against USC. Moore was carted off the field after a late, dangerous hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens.

"I think the way that Lanning handled it was perfect," Fouts told OutKick in a recent interview. "He brought the team together, calmed them all down, said a prayer for Dante. And it reminded them about focus, and reminded them about the importance of what they're doing, why they practiced so hard, why they're prepared, and got back into a football mindset. But the order in which he did that, I thought was absolutely perfect."

Fouts, who played 15 seasons in the NFL and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, acknowledged the inherent violence of football. "It's a violent, violent game, and anybody who's played the game has suffered injuries. That one obviously looked just terrible," he said.

Stephens' celebration immediately after the play drew criticism. Fouts suggested the player was caught up in the moment. "Kids are kids, and I think the player got caught up in the moment of something that I'm sure he regrets now, his actions, but in the heat of the moment, he made a mistake," Fouts commented.

USC announced it had suspended Stephens for the subsequent game against Washington. The junior linebacker issued a public apology, calling his celebration "inappropriate and inexcusable." He stated, "Regardless of what was going through my mind at the time, there is no justification for smiling or celebrating while another player receives medical attention."

Oregon coach Dan Lanning described Stephens' hit as "disgusting." Dante Moore remains in the NCAA's concussion protocol, with no official return date.

Fouts, a former Oregon star, was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1973.