[3] Undrafted after graduating, Lurtsema played for the 1966 Harrisburg Capitals of the Atlantic Coast Football League, which was a taxi squad affiliated with the Baltimore Colts.
Lurtsema was flagged for roughing the passer in a pivotal play in the game, and for the Dolphins' season, as they ended up undefeated.
[8] Lurtsema played regularly for the Vikings and back up the famed Purple People Eaters defensive line, but he rarely started, earning the affectionate nickname "Benchwarmer Bob.
[10][11][12][13] The Vikings traded Lurtsema to the Seattle Seahawks, an expansion team in their first season in 1976 in a deal for wide receiver Ahmad Rashad.
[20] In 1990, Lurtsema wreslted a match for American Wrestling Association's AWA Twin Wars teaming with Brad Rheingans and The Trooper defeating Tully Blanchard and the Destruction Crew.