Sturgis attended Richmond Senior High School in Rockingham, North Carolina, where he helped his team win a pair of Class 4-A state titles in 1988 and 1989, with a perfect 30-0 record over those two years.[1] As a junior, he tallied 32 receptions for 673 yards and 6 touchdowns at tight end.
As a senior, he was Super Prep All-America and an All-state selection, after making 32 receptions for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns.[2]
As a sophomore in 1992, he missed the first 3 contests with a knee infection, before returning to play in the remaining 9 games. Sturgis was a backup to tight endGreg DeLong, playing mainly on special teams and making only one reception for 14 yards.[4]
As a junior, he was converted into an outside linebacker and defensive end. He became a starter, while registering 33 tackles (4 for loss), 4 quarterback pressures, one pass defensed and one fumble returned for a touchdown.[5]
As a senior, he started at defensive end, posting 39 tackles (9 for loss), 2 sacks, 14 quarterback pressures, 9 passes defensed, one interception returned for a touchdown and 3 fumble recoveries. Against Texas Christian University he had 2 tackles for loss, one sack, 4 quarterback pressures and 2 passes defensed. Against Tulane University he made 3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 passes defensed and a 10-yard interception return for a touchdown, receiving ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. Against Clemson University he had a career-high 11 tackles (7 solo), 2 tackles for loss and one quarterback pressure.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Sturgis was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (236th overall) of the 1995 NFL draft.[6] He was declared inactive for the first 13 contests of the season, until Charles Haley underwent back surgery. He was activated for the last 3 games of the season and saw his first professional game action in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals. He was again declared inactive during the playoffs and was a part of the team that won Super Bowl XXX.[7] In 1996, he was moved to defensive tackle during training camp and was waived on August 25.
Green Bay Packers
On December 4, 1996, he was signed by the Green Bay Packers.[8] He was released five days later, after being declared inactive for one game.[9]
On May 6, 2004, he signed as a free agent with the Georgia Force.[17] He retired at the end of the year, after playing seven seasons in the AFL, finishing with 38 tackles, 3 sacks, 26 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, one interception and 9 receptions for 95 yards.
