Sturgis attended Richmond County High School, 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. As a junior, he tallied 32 receptions for 673 yards and 6 touchdowns at tight end. As a senior, he was Super PrepAll-America and an All-state selection, after making 32 receptions for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns.
College career
In 1990, he accepted a football scholarship to play at the University of North Carolina, 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. As a freshman, 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. He was converted into an outside linebacker and defensive end as a junior, becoming a starter, while registering 33 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback pressures and one fumble returned for a touchdown. As a senior, he posted 39, tackles, 9 tackles 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, 2 tackles for loss and one quarterback pressure.
Sturgis was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He was de-activated 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. The next year he was moved to defensive tackle and was waived on August 25, 1996.
Green Bay Packers
On December 4, 1996, he was signed by the Green Bay Packers. He was released five days later, after being inactive for one game.
Miami Dolphins
On December 18, 1996, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins and was inactive for the last game of the season. He was allocated to the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League of American Football in 1997, registering 26 tackles and 2 sacks. He was cut on August 18, 1997.
On May 8, 2003, he signed with Los Angeles Avengers and finished the season playing two games.
Georgia Force
On May 6, 2004, he signed as a free agent with the Georgia Force. He retired at the end of the year, after playing seven seasons in the AFL, finishing with 38 tackles, 3 sacks, 26 pass defensed, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, one interception and 9 receptions for 95 yards.
