Multiple time All-Pro lineman who helped bring the first world championship to Kansas City.
One of the Chiefs’ most prestigious defensive players was acquired via trade. The Denver Broncos selected defensive lineman Curley Culp in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft.
Though concerned, Denver traded Culp to Kansas City for a fourth-round pick. Though Culp didn’t start as a rookie he would be a major contributor the following season.
In 1969, the Chiefs won their historic first title. Culp recorded 8.5 sacks in his second year, according to Pro Football Reference. His style of play at the nose tackle helped to prevail the Chiefs over the Minnesota Vikings in their low-scoring championship game.
Over the next four seasons, Culp played incredibly at the defensive tackle position with getting after the quarterback. Securing 37 sacks in just six seasons for the Chiefs proved that he was one of the premier defensive linemen during his era.
Culp was named to two Pro Bowls and secured a second-team All-Pro nomination in his time with the Chiefs. In the 1975 season, the Chiefs sent Culp to the Houston Oilers where he would continue to evolve his game.
The greatest highlight of his career was possibly being named the league’s most valuable player after the 1975 season. Despite his extremely successful career, it took time for Culp to receive proper recognition.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, along with the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2008 after retiring in 1981.
Culp along with the 1969 Chiefs gave Kansas City a championship pedigree to carry into a bigger and brighter future for the organization to build from.
