On Jan. 12, 1971 another future professional football player, Oscar Sturgis, from Richmond County was born in Hamlet.
During his time as a Richmond Raider, Sturgis 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 six 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.
Sturgis attended the University of North Carolina, where he played defensive end until he was drafted in the seventh round (236th overall) for the NFL in 1995 for the Dallas Cowboys. He was a member of the Cowboys Super Bowl XXX championship season.
During his football career he was a member of the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League of American Football, and others until his retirement in 2005 from the Arena Football League.
Upon his retirement, he joined the coaching staff of the South Georgia Wildcats as their defensive coordinator.
Join us today in celebrating this hometown football star for his football career and for representing Richmond County!
Meghann Lambeth is executive director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority.
(Editor’s Note: Visit Richmond County is highlighting prominent local African Americans each day in February in honor of Black History Month. Previous individuals featured include late Richmond County sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr., late state representative Harrison Ingram Quick, dancer and makeup artist Ciarra Kelley, Ellerbe Mayor Brenda Capel, two-time Super Bowl champion Perry Williams, Bishop Arlester Simpson of Ellerbe, Richmond County School Board member Ronald Tillman, and educator Melvin Ingram. See the Visit Richmond County Facebook page for more on these outstanding individuals.)
