Curley Culp
Inducted:
2013
Player Stats
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
Born:
March 10, 1946
Yuma, Arizona, U.S.
Died:
November 27, 2021
Pearland, Texas, U.S.
Position:
Defensive tackle
College:
Arizona State
Curley Culp was a dominant force up front, renowned for transforming the defensive tackle position. After excelling in college, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1968 and starred as part of the “Kansas City Sack Exchange.” In 1969, he helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl IV with disruptive pressure that choked opposing backfields. Traded to the Houston Oilers and later the Detroit Lions, Culp’s power and low-center-of-gravity technique made him nearly unblockable.
Playing 183 NFL games over 16 seasons, he earned All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections repeatedly. In 1988, he became the first defensive tackle enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Culp's impact is seen today in every inside pass rusher, making him not just a star of his era, but a foundational figure in defensive line play.
Culp's Awards and Records
- Super Bowl champion (IV)
- AFL champion (1969)
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975)
- First-team All-Pro (1975)
- 4× Second-team All-Pro (1971, 1977–1979)
- 6× Pro Bowl (1969, 1971, 1975–1978)
- Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame
- First-team All-American (1967)
- First defensive tackle ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988)
NFL Teams
Denver Broncos (1968)
Kansas City Chiefs (1968–1974)
Houston Oilers (1974–1980)
Detroit Lions (1980–1981)
NFL Draft:
1968: 2nd round, 31st pick
Denver Broncos
Number Worn:
61, 78, 77
NFL Stats
Seasons:
16 (1968–1981)
Games Played:
183
Forced fumbles:
14
Fumble recoveries:
10
Safeties:
1
Pro Bowls:
3 (1975–1977)
First-Team All-Pro:
1975
Second-Team All-Pro:
1971, 1976, 1977
Super Bowl Titles:
1