Chiefs Hall of Famer Curley Culp announces he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer

Kansas City Chiefs legend Curley Culp took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce to his followers that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

“To my followers, family and friends I have stage 4 pancreatic cancer,” Culp wrote. “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.”

Culp played 14 seasons in the NFL, spending the majority of his time with the Chiefs, but was traded to the Houston Oilers in 1975. He’d spent another seven years with Houston before spending a brief period with the Detroit Lions at the end of his career.

A national champion as a heavyweight wrestler at Arizona State, Culp was traded to the Chiefs from their AFC West rival Broncos after he was selected in the second round of the 1968 draft. Denver had attempted to switch him to offensive guard and after the failed conversion they sent him to Kansas City during training camp.

Culp would quickly establish himself as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league, earning six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro selections during his career. He spent seven of those years in Kansas City, appearing in 82 regular-season games and five postseason games. He was a vital part of the defense that would hold the Vikings to seven points in Super Bowl IV, notching four total tackles during the game.

In March of 2008, Culp became the 38th player, coach or contributor to join the Chiefs’ Ring of Honor. Culp was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

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