Hall of Fame defensive tackle Curley Culp announced Tuesday that he has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Culp, 75, anchored the Houston Oilers’ defensive line under Bum Phillips in the 1970s, and amassed 68.5 career sacks, though sacks didn’t become an official stat until 1982 after Culp’s playing days were over.
Culp played six-plus seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, six-plus with the Oilers and parts of two seasons with the Detroit Lions.
“To my followers, family and friends I have stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Do donate to your local cancer organizations so this dreaded disease is eradicated. Love life, family and friends,” Culp posted to Twitter.
To my followers, family and friends I have stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Do donate to your local cancer organizations so this dreaded disease is eradicated. Love life, family and friends. ?? pray to God for all physical and spiritual healing. Love, Curley Culp HOF#13.
— Curley Culp (@CurleyCulp) November 16, 2021
Culp was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. He earned All-Pro honors in 1975 with the Oilers. He played in 179 games (156 starts). The Oilers moved to Tennessee in 1997 and starting going by Titans two years later.
He won a Super Bowl title with the Chiefs, who defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV in January 1970 in New Orleans. It was the fourth and final SB that pitted AFL vs. NFL. Culp is one of 12 Hall of Famers to have played in that game, seven for the Chiefs.
Born in Yuma, Ariz., Culp was taken in the second round by the Denver Broncos in the 1968 NFL Draft. The Broncos traded Culp to Kansas City during training camp.
Culp was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
–Field Level Media
