Joe Novsek
No. 71
Position:Defensive lineman
Personal information
Born:(1939-05-29)May 29, 1939
Cardale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:April 24, 2023(2023-04-24) (aged 83)
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:237 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Redstone High School (Redstone, PA)
College:Tulsa
NFL Draft:1961 / Round: 19 / Pick: 259
(by Baltimore Colts)
AFL Draft:1961 / Round: 17 / Pick: 131
(by Oakland Raiders)
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • AFL All-Rookie Team (1962)
  • 2× All-MVC (1959, 1961)
Career AFL statistics
Games played:14
Games started:2
Kickoff returns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Joseph John Novsek II (May 29, 1939 – April 24, 2023) was an American football defensive lineman who played one season in the American Football League (AFL) for the Oakland Raiders. He played college football for Tulsa.

Early life and education

Joe Novsek was born on May 29, 1939, in Cardale, Pennsylvania. He attended Redstone High School near there, graduating in c. 1958. After his high school career, Novsek accepted a scholarship offer from The University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. Upon joining the school, he immediately made the team roster.[1] As a sophomore in 1959, he was named second-team all-conference at the tackle position.[2] He was named co-team captain to start his junior year.[3][4] As a senior in 1961, he was named first-team all-conference by Associated Press.[5]

Professional career

Novsek was selected in both the 1961 NFL Draft (by Baltimore Colts, 19th round, 259th overall) and 1961 AFL Draft (by Oakland Raiders, 17th round, 131st overall), but chose to finish his collegiate career. At the end of the 1961 college football season, Novsek chose the Raiders in the AFL over the NFL's Colts.[6] He was used by the Raiders on each position of the defensive line, and appeared in all fourteen games of the 1962 season.[7] He was a starter in two of their games. He was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team at the end of the season.[8] He was released at roster cuts in August 1963.[9] He was signed by the Baltimore Colts, who drafted him two years prior, in 1964. Novsek was released at the 1964 roster cuts, ending his professional career.[10]

Death

Novsek died on April 24, 2023, at the age of 83.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Joe Novsek". Pro Football Archives.
  2. ↑ "NTS' Haynes, Herring, Carrico on All-MVC '11'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. November 23, 1959 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ↑ "Former Redstone Football Player Tulsa Grid Captain". The Evening Standard. May 2, 1960 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ↑ "Tulsa Honors Joe Novsek". The Morning Herald. May 2, 1960 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ↑ "AP's All-Missouri Valley". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 27, 1961 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ↑ "Oakland Signs TUers". The M'Alester News-Capital. December 15, 1961 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ↑ "Joe Novsek Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  8. ↑ Stirling, Scotty (December 19, 1962). "Raiders Trio All-Rookie". Oakland Tribune. p. 39, 40 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ↑ "Loose Ends". Calgary Herald. August 28, 1963 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ↑ "Colts Drop Pair". The Cumberland News. August 6, 1964 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  11. ↑ "Joseph John Novsek II Obituary". Tribute Archive.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.