One of the earliest British-born players in NFL history,[citation needed] he played his entire professional career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Cloud State University in Minnesota he decided to try out for the football team as part of a thesis project, and was soon impressing the coaches with 60+ yard field goals.

Luckhurst was a full back and key player in leading the Cal Golden Bears to their first national collegiate rugby title in 1980, making 14 of 17 penalty kicks and 18 of 19 conversions during the season.

[4] He also held the record for the longest field goal in California history for many years, a 54-yard boot against Oregon State in 1979.

On 26 October 2014, Luckhurst was part of the ceremonial coin toss at Wembley Stadium as the Atlanta Falcons faced the Detroit Lions in an International Series game.