Curley Culp, whose strength, agility and quickness helped him anchor the great defenses of the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Oilers in the 1960s and ’70s and led to his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died on Saturday November 27 2021 in a hospital in Pearland, Texas, south of Houston. He was 75. Culp was a potent force as a defensive tackle. A former college wrestler who stood 6-foot-1 and weighed 265 pounds, Culp manhandled opposing offensive lineman, especially centers, and was known for wrapping up quarterbacks in his massive arms. In his 14-year career, he had 68½ sacks. Curley Culp was born on March 10, 1946, in Yuma, Ariz. His father, William, owned a pig farm, and his mother, Octavia (Whaley) Culp, was a homemaker. His parents named him Curley because it rhymed with Shirley, his twin sister, who was born first. Culp wrestled and played football in high school. At Arizona State University, he won the N.C.A.A. heavyweight title in 1967, pinning his finals opponent in 51 seconds. He was an All-American in both sports. He went on to graduate from Arizona State in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in business and insurance. He earned a master’s degree in health and human performance from the University of Houston in 1990. After his N.F.L. career, Culp ran a chemical and pest control company, then owned a taxicab and limousine service. Culp married Collette Bloom in 1978. In addition to her, he is survived by his sons, Chad and Christopher; seven grandchildren; his sister, Shirley Culp McFarlin; and his brother William Jr.
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