Oscar Sturgis

Oscar Lee Sturgis (born January 12, 1971) is a former professional American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at the University of North Carolina.

Oscar Sturgis
No. 90
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1971-01-12) January 12, 1971
Hamlet, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:278 lb (126 kg)
Career information
High school:Richmond (NC)
College:North Carolina
NFL Draft:1995 / Round: 7 / Pick: 236
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:1
Career Arena statistics
Tackles:38
Sacks:3
Pass breakups:26
Forced fumbles:2
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR · ArenaFan.com

Early years

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]

College career

Sturgis accepted a football scholarship to play at the University of North Carolina in 1990, but was ruled academically ineligible. Rather than enrolling as a Proposition 48 student, he opted to attend Fork Union Military Academy until qualifying the next year.[3]

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 end Greg 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]

Miami Dolphins

On December 18, 1996, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins and was inactive for the last game of the season.[10] In 1997, he was allocated to the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League of American Football, registering 26 tackles and 2 sacks.[11] He was cut by the Dolphins on August 18, 1997.[12]

Carolina Panthers

On August, 10, 1998, he signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers.[13] He was released on August 23.[14]

Montreal Alouettes

Sturgis signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and was released before the start of the 1998 season.

Arizona Rattlers

In 1998, he signed with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League, where he contributed to three consecutive semifinal appearances (1998-2000).

Georgia Force

In 2002, he signed as a free agent with the Georgia Force.[15] He was released on April 30.

Los Angeles Avengers

On May 8, 2003, he signed with Los Angeles Avengers and finished the season playing two games.[16]

Georgia Force

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.

Personal life

Sturgis joined the South Georgia Wildcats coaching staff as their defensive coordinator in the 2005 AF2 season.[18]

References
  1. "Tar Hells Lose Thomas, Sturgis To Test Scores". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  2. "Richmond Co. star tops all-state team". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  3. "Wolfpack Lands Vaunted Recruits". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  4. "Greg Delong Integral Part Of Tar Heels' Football Team". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  5. "UNC Defensive Duo Stands In FSU's Way". Sun-Sentinel. September 23, 1994.
  6. "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  7. "Prime Time Does It All". Associated Press. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  8. "Green Bay Replaces Retired Ruettgers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  9. "Packers Waive Sturgis, Sign Hayes". Associated Press. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  10. "McPhail Placed on IR". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  11. "First Free Agent Offer Made". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  12. "Daniels, Young Among Dolphins Cuts". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  13. "Panthers". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  14. "Carolina Cuts FB Greene". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  15. "Arena Football League Transactions". OurSports Central. March 25, 2002. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  16. "L.A. Avengers Sign AFL Veteran Lineman Oscar Sturgis". OurSports Central. 9 May 2003. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  17. "Georgia Force Makes Roster Moves". OurSports Central. 7 May 2004. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  18. "South Georgia Wildcats Game Notes". OurSports Central. 23 June 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
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