This week in Southwest Arizona history.
Curley Culp died November 27, 2021, at age 75
Curley Culp, born in Yuma on March 10, 1946, passed away on November 27, 2021, at age 75 after a brief battle with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Known for his dominant career as a defensive tackle in the AFL and NFL, Culp was an All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl player. He made his mark with the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers, and Detroit Lions, and was instrumental in popularizing the 3-4 defense. Culp also excelled in college, winning the 1967 NCAA heavyweight wrestling championship at Arizona State University. Growing up in Yuma, he became a standout at Yuma Union High School, winning state wrestling titles and excelling in football. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, Culp left a lasting legacy in both football and wrestling. His contributions to the game, along with his ties to Yuma, cement his place in sports history.
