This week in Southwest Arizona history.
Curley Culp born March 10, 1946, in Yuma, Arizona
Curley Culp was born in Yuma, Arizona, on March 10, 1946. He attended Yuma Union High School, where he competed in football and wrestling. He won two state wrestling titles. Culp later attended Arizona State University, where he earned All-America honors in both sports. In 1967, he won the NCAA heavyweight wrestling championship. He played professional football for 14 seasons in the AFL and NFL. He spent most of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Oilers. He was selected to six Pro Bowls and named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1975. Culp played a key role in developing the 3–4 defensive scheme. He was inducted into the Arizona State Sports Hall of Fame in 1975 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013. He remained connected to Arizona throughout his life.
