Obituary of Curley Culp

Curley Culp, 75, Hall of Fame defensive lineman, who helped the Kansas City Chiefs win their first Super Bowl during a 14-year NFL career, passed away Saturday, November 27, 2021, of complications from pancreatic cancer. In Yuma, Arizona, Curley grew up the youngest of 11 children, including his twin sister, Shirley. In Yuma High School, he was a standout in football and wrestling. Arizona State University recruited him to play both sports. At Arizona State, Curley played in three Western Athletic Conference football championships, was the 1967 NCAA heavyweight champion, and won All American honors in football and wrestling. In 1968 the National Football League drafted Curley in the second round. During his 14-year career in professional football, Curley played with the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, the Houston Oilers, and the Detroit Lions. Curley earned six Pro Bowl selections during his career, helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl IV in 1969, and was the 1975 “Defensive Player of the Year.” The Professional Football Hall of Fame inducted Curley in 2013. Education was always essential to Curley throughout his life, and he returned to Arizona State University after completing his first year with the Chiefs to earn his undergraduate degree in 1968. In 1990 he earned a master's degree from the University of Houston and completed all coursework at the University of Texas for a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership Program. Curley was also a prosperous businessman throughout his life after sports in two business ventures. He was a sportsman who loved being outdoors and especially loved opportunities to travel, fish, and hunt. He also enjoyed playing racquetball for many years as an Open player. Curley was a member of many social and professional organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). Curley will forever be remembered as a tremendous athlete, a fierce competitor, and a gentleman off the field. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Curley is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Collette Bloom Culp; sons Christopher Rian Culp, Chad William Culp; brother William Houston Frank Culp Jr; sister Shirley Culp McFarlin; grandchildren Aleira, Braedan, Neveah, Christiana, Cameron, Layla, Brian; brothers-in-law, Albert Joseph Bloom, Sr. (Jeannette), Christopher Atkins Bloom (Gladys) and a host of other family and dear friends. Curley is preceded in death by his parents William Houston Frank Culp, Sr., Octavia Rosetta (Whaley) Culp, and nine siblings.