Capturing Culp’s career
Hall of Famers
Published on : 4/2/2013
Curley Culp was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in early February. He made a visit to Canton, Ohio in mid-March to prepare for his enshrinement this summer. And, last week, he sent a huge number of mementos from his storied career to the Hall of Fame.
In all, the former defensive tackle of the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers, and Detroit Lions, included 33 separate items in his shipment.
Among the most noted artifacts was Culp’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year Trophy he was awarded from the Newspaper Enterprise Association in 1975. During that year, his first full season after being traded from the Chiefs to the Oilers, he helped Houston to a 10-4 record which marked their first winning season in eight years. Culp recorded 11.5 sacks, an unofficial stat at the time, as the Oilers defensive ranked among the best in the league.
Culp also sent along the helmet he wore in one of his six Pro Bowl appearances.
He also sent along the game ball he received on Sept. 30, 1973. That day - the Chiefs went up against the division rival Oakland Raiders, who featured a dominant rushing attack. Oakland began their opening drive by running the ball at the middle of the Chiefs' defense on back-to-back plays. Culp single-handedly stopped them and Oakland was forced to deviate from their game plan. Culp pressured the Raiders all day long and finished with four tackles, one assisted tackle and a sack of Oakland’s Daryle Lamonica. Culp also thwarted a Raiders’ touchdown when he threw running back Charlie Smith for a four-yard loss and then on the next play forced Lamonica to throw the ball out of the end zone. Kansas City won the game, 16-3.
Also part of the collection were many photos, plaques, ribbons, and other items from his college football and wrestling career at Arizona State; and his 14-season pro football career.
Culp and the six other members of the Class of 2013 – Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, and Warren Sapp – will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 3.
In all, the former defensive tackle of the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers, and Detroit Lions, included 33 separate items in his shipment.
Among the most noted artifacts was Culp’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year Trophy he was awarded from the Newspaper Enterprise Association in 1975. During that year, his first full season after being traded from the Chiefs to the Oilers, he helped Houston to a 10-4 record which marked their first winning season in eight years. Culp recorded 11.5 sacks, an unofficial stat at the time, as the Oilers defensive ranked among the best in the league.
Culp also sent along the helmet he wore in one of his six Pro Bowl appearances.
He also sent along the game ball he received on Sept. 30, 1973. That day - the Chiefs went up against the division rival Oakland Raiders, who featured a dominant rushing attack. Oakland began their opening drive by running the ball at the middle of the Chiefs' defense on back-to-back plays. Culp single-handedly stopped them and Oakland was forced to deviate from their game plan. Culp pressured the Raiders all day long and finished with four tackles, one assisted tackle and a sack of Oakland’s Daryle Lamonica. Culp also thwarted a Raiders’ touchdown when he threw running back Charlie Smith for a four-yard loss and then on the next play forced Lamonica to throw the ball out of the end zone. Kansas City won the game, 16-3.
Also part of the collection were many photos, plaques, ribbons, and other items from his college football and wrestling career at Arizona State; and his 14-season pro football career.
Culp and the six other members of the Class of 2013 – Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, and Warren Sapp – will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 3.
In Curley’s Words
See video of Curley describing some of his priceless mementos added to the Hall of Fame’s collection. Click on image to watch. |
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| 1975 Defensive MVP Trophy | Game Ball vs. Raiders |
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