 He played professionally in Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1958), and Calgary Stampeders (1959–1960), the American Football League (AFL) for the Denver Broncos (1961–1966), and in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints (1967–1970), Houston Oilers (1971), and Philadelphia Eagles (1972).He was an American Football League All-Star in 1964 and 1966.After retiring from football, Sturm owned "The South" restaurant along with his wife, Debbie, in Englewood, Colorado.