# Which Benchwarmer Played the Longest?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-benchwarmer-played-the-longest/717468>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [April 12, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-benchwarmer-played-the-longest/717468 "2015-04-12T02:16:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-benchwarmer-played-the-longest/717468/21 "2015-04-14T05:04:02Z")

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> [@Folacin](#):
>
> Benchwarmer Bob Lurtsema - 10 years in the NFL, and basically [no stats](http://www.nfl.com/player/boblurtsema/2519832/profile).
> 
> Fun set of commercials for a MN bank during his Vikings years.

Although, as that stats page notes, “Tackle data unavailable before 2001”. And, I know that sacks weren’t officially tabulated before 1982. So, any defensive lineman from before those years would likely have a similarly sparse stats sheet.

Look at[Ezra Johnson’](http://www.nfl.com/player/ezrajohnson/2501422/profile)s stats page, pre-1982, for reference. Johnson was a starter for the Packers throughout those years, and a Pro Bowler in '78, but his stat lines are all zeroes.

[Lurtsma’s page on Pro Football Reference](http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LurtBo20.htm) shows that he started 46 games over his career (though most of his starts came with teams other than the Vikes).

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**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-benchwarmer-played-the-longest/717468/22 "2015-04-14T05:39:28Z")

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In soccer, Pepe Renia has been the main backup goalkeeper for the Spanish National team for 10 years. His main role seems to have been Master of Ceremonies every time Spain win.

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