Tom Novak (American football)
| No. 68, 61, 60 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Center, fullback, linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | November 29, 1925 |
| Died: | November 1, 1998 (aged 72) Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight: | 206 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Omaha South |
| College: | Nebraska |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Thomas James Novak (November 29, 1925 – November 1, 1998) was an American football center, fullback, and linebacker for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nicknamed "Train Wreck" for his aggressive style of play, Novak is the only four-time all-conference selection in school history and was the first NU player to have his number retired.
Early years
Novak was born in 1925 and attended Omaha South High School.[1] He was twice selected as an all-state fullback and led Omaha South to a state championship in 1942.[1]
He served in the United States Navy during World War II before enrolling at the University of Nebraska in 1946 to play football and baseball.[1] He chose NU over a scholarship offer from head coach Frank Leahy and Notre Dame, wanting to stay closer to home.[2]
Career
Novak began his collegiate career playing offensively as a fullback, but transitioned to center during his sophomore season.[2] Though the one-platoon system was not mandated during the 1940s, Nebraska rarely substituted and Novak consistently played both sides of the ball in each of his four seasons. He quickly became beloved by fans, who appreciated his aggressive, hard-nosed style of play.[3] When he played his final career game at Memorial Stadium on November 25, 1949, his twenty-fourth birthday, he was honored with a standing ovation at halftime of Nebraska's 25–14 win over Colorado.[4]
Novak was a first-team Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association selection four times, the only player in Nebraska history to do so, and was named a first-team All-American by the International News Service following his senior season. Nebraska was just 11–26 during Novak's four-year career but maintained strong fan support and attendance figures, which is often attributed to Novak's popularity.[2] His jersey no. 60 was permanently retired by the university in 1949 (though he also wore no. 68 and no. 61 during his career, which are not retired).[2]
Later years
Novak was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 1950 NFL draft, but declined to sign a contract. He stayed in Nebraska and opened a trucking business.[5]
The University of Nebraska and Omaha businessman James Gordon Roberts established the Tom Novak Award in 1950 to honor the senior who "best exemplifies courage and determination despite all odds."[6] It is voted on by local writers and presented at the annual Outland Trophy banquet in Omaha.
Novak was paralyzed in 1976 after a fall and was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but still commonly attended Nebraska sporting events.[4] He died in 1998 at age seventy-two.
References
- ^ a b c "Tom Novak – Omaha South". Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Mike Babcock (February 25, 2012). "How It Was: Remembering Trainwreck". 247Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ Jon Johnston (May 13, 2011). "Big Ten Countdown 49 -Tom "Train Wreck" Novak: The Toughest Husker Ever And Northwestern's Only Bowl Win". Corn Nation. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Tad Stryker (May 25, 2020). "Stryker: Tom Novak stood tall amid Nebraska football depression". HuskerMax. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ Kaleb Henry (April 25, 2025). "Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders Now Shares NFL Draft History with Nebraska Great Tom Novak". On SI. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ "Tom Novak Award". Nebraska Athletics. Retrieved July 27, 2025.