Career

He played professionally with the Portsmouth Spartans, Cleveland Indians and Brooklyn Dodgers of the National Football League (NFL). Prior to playing in the NFL, Novotny played college football at Ashland University. While at Ashland, he earned All-American honors in 1929.

In 1934, he returned to Ashland to serve as the school"s football coach.

He also served as the baseball coach for the 1935 season.