Pro Player Insiders’ Hall of Fame Tribute: Curley Culp

The greatest part of the NFL Hall of fame is that fans are able to look back and reminisce on the legends that shaped the game into its current form. Although it is nice seeing many modern era players receive recognition for their contributions to the game, we must also pay respects to the players who dedicated their lives to the game during the early years of the NFL. To ensure that these older players are recognized, the Hall of Fame has a Seniors Committee, and this year one of the players honored by that committee was Curley Culp.

Culp was one of two finalists chosen by the Seniors Committee, who only considers players that have been retired for 25 years or more. To be chosen as an inductee Culp still needed 80 percent of the overall Selection Committee to vote for him. The Selection Committee deemed Culp deserving of enshrinement, a reward that has been a long time coming.

“This is an occasion that’s long been in my dreams and now lives in reality,” said Culp during his enshrinement speech. “I cannot express how glorious a feeling this is for me and my family who have long hoped with me that this day would come.  So to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame gives me joy and inspiration that would last the rest of my life.”

Culp was born in Yuma, Arizona where in high school he dominated as a two-sport athlete in football and in wrestling. As a two-time heavy weight high school state champion wrestler and a budding football star, Culp chose to attend Arizona State University.  In his time at Arizona State, Culp won the NCAA Heavyweight Wrestling Championship and played both offensive and defensive line for the football team.  His ability to take his wrestling skills and hone them into football talent was a very valuable tool for Culp as he continued down the path to the NFL.

“Wrestling compliments an individual on the football field,” said Culp, “because of the balance, you have to have good balance when you wrestle, good hand to hand combat, quickness helps and if you have a little strength that helps also.”

The Denver Broncos selected Culp in the second round of the 1968 NFL draft. During training camp of his rookie season the Broncos traded Culp to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he became an impact player in Kansas City’s defense. In just his second year in the NFL he helped lead the Chiefs to a victory in Super Bowl IV over the Minnesota Vikings. During the game, Hall of Fame head coach Hank Stram, made a game changing decision. He moved Culp right over the top of the center, into what is now known as the nose tackle position. The Vikings couldn’t handle the quickness of Culp and he shut down their valiant rushing attack.

 In 1974 Culp was traded to the Houston Oilers where he aided the team to their first winning season in eight years and was a key facilitator in making the Houston defense one of the best in the league. After a short run in Detroit the 6-time Pro Bowler retired in 1981 after 16 seasons in the NFL. Culp ended his career with a 1975 All-Pro selection, four All-Pro second team selections, five first or second team All-AFC selections and a Super Bowl ring. However, for Culp it wasn’t the accolades that meant the most, it was the ability to play the game that shaped him into the great man he is today.