Top 100 all-time Kansas City Chiefs moments: 100-76

UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1971: Curley Culp #61 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the bench during an NFL football game circa 1971. Culp played for the Chiefs from 1968-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

86. Curley Culp inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013)

Defensive tackle Curley Culp is the most recent defensive inductee to the NFL hall of Fame for the Kansas City Chiefs, and was a fixture of the Super Bowl IV-winning squad.

After coming to the Chiefs via a trade with the Denver Broncos, Culp moved to nose tackle and was a key cog in the Chiefs’ stack defense. His strength and athleticism gave Culp the advantage over weaker and less explosive offense linemen. Not only quick and explosive, Culp possessed the balance and body control of an elite athlete despite the body of the defensive lineman. Culp was the 1967 NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling champion. At 6-foot-1 and 265 pounds, Culp was thought to be undersized for a nose tackle in the NFL. His athletic prowess made all the difference in the world.

Culp’s influence has been felt as the evolution of the Chiefs has progressed. After decades with a four-man front, Kansas City returned to its roots with a 3-4 defense. Many of today’s players emulate the rolls of the early Chiefs defenders including Culp. Looking at strength and athleticism, Dontari Poe is the modern Culp. Poe will do well to follow Culp’s path.

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