NFL Hall of Fame DL Curley Culp Dies At Age 75

Featured Columnist IVNovember 27, 2021

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 3: Former defender Curley Culp poses with his bust during the NFL Class of 2013 Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on Aug. 3, 2013 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Hall of Fame defensive tackle Curley Culp died Saturday at the age of 75 after he announced he'd been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer last week.

His wife, Collette Bloom Culp, announced the news on Twitter:

Curley Culp @CurleyCulp
On behalf of our family and with a broken heart, I announce the passing of my husband, Curley Culp early this morning. We respectfully ask for privacy at this time.<br>Collette Bloom Culp<br>This account is now closed.

Culp was selected in the second round of the 1968 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos following a standout collegiate career at Arizona State. His senior year featured a first-team All-American selection in football and the NCAA heavyweight wrestling championship.

The Arizona native never played a game for the Broncos as the team traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs during his rookie training camp.

jeffmetcalfe @jeffmetcalfe
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASU</a> 2-sport superstar/Pro Football Hall of Famer Curley Culp died today at 75 ... from Yuma, Culp was No. 6 on Arizona Republic Athletes of the Century, a list selected in 1999 ... Culp recently made public that he was in stage 4 cancer <a href="https://t.co/nfhNzTjSVl">pic.twitter.com/nfhNzTjSVl</a>

He went on to put together a terrific NFL resume with six Pro Bowl appearances, five All-Pro selections (one First Team and four Second Team) and the 1975 George S. Halas Trophy as the league's top defensive player as voted by the Newspaper Enterprise Association.

Culp, who also played for the Houston Oilers and Detroit Lions as part of a 14-year career, won Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs at the end of the 1969 season.

Old Time Football 🏈 @Ol_TimeFootball
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPCurleyCulp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPCurleyCulp</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CurleyCulp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CurleyCulp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oilers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oilers</a> <a href="https://t.co/2illJ70VAV">pic.twitter.com/2illJ70VAV</a>

Culp, who retired after the 1981 season, earned his place in Canton by helping revolutionize the tackle position within a three-man defensive line.