Oregon legend Dan Fouts knows just how violent football can be.
Last week, in the second quarter of the Ducks’ 41-20 victory over USC, linebacker Desman Stephens hit a sliding Dante Moore in the head with a dangerous late hit. Stephens celebrated in the immediate aftermath, and Moore was carted off in a scary scene.
Fouts praised Oregon head coach Dan Lanning for how he handled the emotional and scary situation.
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Oregon head coach Dan Lanning stands over quarterback Dante Moore as he is attended to after a hard tackle by linebacker Desman Stephens II during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“I think the way that Lanning handled it was perfect. 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 told OutKick in a recent interview.
When he first saw the play, Fouts said he was concerned about Moore’s health.
“It’s a violent, violent game, and anybody who’s played the game has suffered injuries. That one obviously looked just terrible,” Fouts said while speaking on behalf of “Miller Night Football.”
As for Stephens’ celebration? Fouts said kids are kids.
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Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart checks on quarterback Dante Moore as he is carted off the field after a hard tackle by linebacker Desman Stephens II during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“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 said.
USC announced it had suspended Stephens for Saturday’s game against Washington. The junior linebacker apologized for his “inappropriate” behavior.
“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during yesterday’s game,” he said. “Seeing a player injured like that is incredibly serious, and my reaction in the moments afterward was completely inappropriate and inexcusable. 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.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions. That is not the person or teammate I want to be, and I will learn from this. I am deeply sorry to Dante, his family and everyone who saw my reaction. It is not representative of USC or our program. I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.”
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NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts stands on the field prior to the preseason game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions on July 31, 2025, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. (Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Lanning called Stephens’ hit on his quarterback “disgusting.” Moore has no official return date as he remains in the NCAA’s concussion protocol.
Fouts starred at Oregon for three seasons before going to the NFL. He was drafted in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, with whom he played 15 seasons.
The 75-year-old was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
OutKick’s Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
