Curley Culp going to the Chiefs Hall of Fame

KUCFChiefs · 03-09-2008, 03:19 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...ry/522885.html

Curley Culp selected to Chiefs Hall of Fame
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Since he finished his time with the Chiefs in 1974, Curley Culp believed his time to enter the club’s Hall of Fame had come and gone.

Culp had been part of the Chiefs’ dominant defensive tackle duo along with Buck Buchanan in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He helped the Chiefs to their only Super Bowl victory and twice made postseason all-star games while playing for Kansas City, once in the AFL and once in the NFL.

That all ended 34 years ago and Culp, now living in Austin, Texas, long since gave up hope that he would formally be invited to take his place among the franchise’s all-time greats.

Then he received the call from former teammate Len Dawson, who informed Culp that 2008 would indeed be his time.

“I didn’t think this would happen, to be quite honest,” said Culp, whose selection to the Chiefs Hall of Fame was unveiled at a news conference Saturday shortly before the annual 101 Banquet.

“It’s quite an honor. I’m very pleased. We accomplished some great things, like winning the world’s championship, when I played for the Chiefs.”

The Chiefs wanted to draft Culp out of college at Arizona State in 1968, but the division rival Broncos beat them to Culp. Still, he had a feeling his football career would bring him to Kansas City before it was finished.

Shortly after Culp was drafted by Denver, Arizona State held an athletic awards banquet honoring among others Culp, who was the NCAA’s heavyweight wrestling champion that year and would go on to become a member of the U.S. Olympic team. Hank Stram, then the Chiefs’ coach, attended the banquet.

“I remember him telling me then that if he ever had the chance, he would get me to play for the Chiefs,” Culp said.

Stram followed through on his promise and the Chiefs traded for Culp during his rookie season.

He would play six more seasons for the Chiefs and was traded to Houston when he asked for more money and the Chiefs declined or, as Culp put it, “We had our financial differences.”

He was also a star for the Oilers, making the Pro Bowl four times in seven seasons. He finished his career with the Lions.

But he never again played for a championship team or was part of a defensive team as strong as the ones he played for in Kansas City.

“We had it going in Kansas City for a long time,” Culp said. “There was Buck, myself, Willie (Lanier) right behind us, Bobby Bell on the outside. I really enjoyed it. We had some fun.”

03-09-2008, 03:19 AM	Topic Starter
KUCFChiefs Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gainesville, MO Casino cash: $10004900	Curley Culp going to the Chiefs Hall of Fame http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...ry/522885.html Curley Culp selected to Chiefs Hall of Fame By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Since he finished his time with the Chiefs in 1974, Curley Culp believed his time to enter the club’s Hall of Fame had come and gone. Culp had been part of the Chiefs’ dominant defensive tackle duo along with Buck Buchanan in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He helped the Chiefs to their only Super Bowl victory and twice made postseason all-star games while playing for Kansas City, once in the AFL and once in the NFL. That all ended 34 years ago and Culp, now living in Austin, Texas, long since gave up hope that he would formally be invited to take his place among the franchise’s all-time greats. Then he received the call from former teammate Len Dawson, who informed Culp that 2008 would indeed be his time. “I didn’t think this would happen, to be quite honest,” said Culp, whose selection to the Chiefs Hall of Fame was unveiled at a news conference Saturday shortly before the annual 101 Banquet. “It’s quite an honor. I’m very pleased. We accomplished some great things, like winning the world’s championship, when I played for the Chiefs.” The Chiefs wanted to draft Culp out of college at Arizona State in 1968, but the division rival Broncos beat them to Culp. Still, he had a feeling his football career would bring him to Kansas City before it was finished. Shortly after Culp was drafted by Denver, Arizona State held an athletic awards banquet honoring among others Culp, who was the NCAA’s heavyweight wrestling champion that year and would go on to become a member of the U.S. Olympic team. Hank Stram, then the Chiefs’ coach, attended the banquet. “I remember him telling me then that if he ever had the chance, he would get me to play for the Chiefs,” Culp said. Stram followed through on his promise and the Chiefs traded for Culp during his rookie season. He would play six more seasons for the Chiefs and was traded to Houston when he asked for more money and the Chiefs declined or, as Culp put it, “We had our financial differences.” He was also a star for the Oilers, making the Pro Bowl four times in seven seasons. He finished his career with the Lions. But he never again played for a championship team or was part of a defensive team as strong as the ones he played for in Kansas City. “We had it going in Kansas City for a long time,” Culp said. “There was Buck, myself, Willie (Lanier) right behind us, Bobby Bell on the outside. I really enjoyed it. We had some fun.”
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