Former Sun Devil Curley Culp inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

Aug 4, 2013, 2:07 AM | Updated: 2:22 am

Former Arizona State Sun Devil and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Curley Culp was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a senior nominee on Saturday evening in Canton, Ohio.

Culp, who was one of seven inductees in the Class of 2013, was presented by his son Chad for enshrinement.

“This is an occasion that has long been in my dreams and has now become a reality,” Culp said during his speech.

Culp was born in Yuma, Arizona and was an All-American in football and wrestling at ASU.

He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft. The Broncos dealt Culp to Kansas City where he went on to play an integral role in Chiefs’ dominant defense, culminating in a Super Bowl IV championship.

Culp became the fifth defensive player of the 1960 Chiefs to be inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame.

“I cannot express how glorious a feeling this is for me and my family, who have long hoped with me that this day would come,” Culp said. “So to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame gives me joy and inspiration that will last the rest of my life.”

After spending six and a half successful seasons in Kansas City, the Chiefs traded Culp to the Houston Oilers in 1974. With the Oilers, Culp helped transform a defense that later rose to prominence. He was honored with the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1975, after an 11.5 sack season.

He also led the Oilers to back-to-back AFC championship games in 1978 and 1979.

The five-time NFL Pro Bowler was known for his strength and quickness.

Culp played in 179 games and finished his prestigious 14-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions.

The 67-year-old ended his gracious speech with enthusiastic appreciation.

“I am honored to be wearing Hall of Fame gold,” Culp said.

Bill Parcells, left, receives his symbolic gold jacket from his presenter George Martin, right, during the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Memorial Civic Center Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 in Canton, OH. Parcells will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday. (AP Photo/The Repository, Scott Heckel)
Bill Parcells waves to the crowd after receiving his symbolic gold jacket from his presenter George Martin, right, during the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Memorial Civic Center Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 in Canton, OH. Parcells will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday. (AP Photo/The Repository, Scott Heckel)
Dave Robinson receives his symbolic gold jacket from his presenter and son Dave Robinson, right, during the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Memorial Civic Center Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 in Canton, OH. Robinson will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday. (AP Photo/The Repository, Scott Heckel)
Curley Culp receives his symbolic gold jacket from his presenter and son Chad Culp, right, during the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Memorial Civic Center Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 in Canton, OH. Culp will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday. (AP Photo/The Repository, Scott Heckel)
Curley Culp reacts after receiving his symbolic gold jacket from his presenter and son Chad Culp, back, during the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Memorial Civic Center Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 in Canton, OH. Culp will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday. (AP Photo/The Repository, Scott Heckel)
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013 is introduced after receiving their symbolic gold jackets at the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Memorial Civic Center Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 in Canton, OH. From left are Warren Sapp, Dave Robinson, Bill Parcells, Jonathan Ogden, Curley Culp, Cris Carter and Larry Allen. The group will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday. (AP Photo/The Repository, Scott Heckel)
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones signs his autograph before the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Former Baltimore Ravens player Jonathan Ogden speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Former Baltimore Ravens player Jonathan Ogden speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Hall of Fame inductee Jonathon Ogden poses with his bust during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Former NFL football player Dave Robinson, left, and his son, David Robinson, unveil the bust during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Hall of Fame inductee Dave Robinson poses with his bust during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Hall of Fame inductee Larry Allen poses with his bust during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Former NFL football head coach Bill Parcells, left, shakes hands with presenter George Martin during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Former NFL football head coach Bill Parcells speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Hall of Fame inductee Bill Parcells speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Hall of Fame inductee Bill Parcells speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Hall of Fame inductee Bill Parcells poses with his bust during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Inductee Bill Parcells, right, poses with his presenter George Martin, and a bust of himself during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Inductee Curley Culp, right, poses with his presenter, his son Chad Culp, and a bust of himself during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Curley Culp smiles as he looks at his bust after his son, Chad unveiled it during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Hall of Fame inductee Curley Culp poses with his bust during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Former NFL football player Warren Sapp, left, and his daughter, Mercedes, unveil Sapp's bust during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Former NFL football player Warren Sapp speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Hall of Fame inductee Warren Sapp kisses his bust during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Hall of Fame inductee Warren Sapp poses with his bust during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Former NFL football player Cris Carter, left, is greeted by his presenter, his son Duron, during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Former NFL football player Cris Carter speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Former NFL football player Cris Carter speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Dave Robinson, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Curley Culp and Warren Sapp pose with their bronze busts during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)

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