(By Evan Vucci/The Associated Press) Washington Redskins kicker Nick Novak (3), right, jumps into the arms of teamate Derrick Dockery after kicking a game-winning field goal in overtime on Sunday in Landover, Md. The Redskins won 20-17. At left is Redskins offensive lineman Casey Rabach. At center is linebacker Marcus Washington.

Kicker dedicates game to inspirational friend

By Jeff Washburn
jwashburn@journalandcourier.com

On the last day of her life, Lafayette's Annie Arth accomplished her favorite mission -- inspiring others to be the best they can be.

Less than an hour before Arth's death Sunday -- she battled breast and then ovarian cancer for years -- Highland Park neighbor Nick Novak kicked a 39-yard field goal with 9:29 remaining in overtime, lifting the National Football League's Washington Redskins to a 20-17 victory against the Seattle Seahawks.

While Novak, 24, attended high school in Charlottesville, Va., and college at the University of Maryland, he has considered Lafayette home since 2000, when his parents -- professors Bob and Julie Novak -- accepted positions at Purdue, moving into a spacious Kossuth Street home next to Tom and Annie Arth.

"We weren't out of boxes, and Tom and Annie were in our yard planting flowers," Julie Novak, head of Purdue's School of Nursing, said Monday night. "We were blessed to know Annie. What a spirit. She bounced back so many times. We all thought she would do it again."

The Novaks and the Arths share a passion for children and athletics. Along with others from the neighborhood, the Novaks and the Arths often traveled to Nick's games at Maryland.

And when Nick wasn't at Maryland setting an Atlantic Coast Conference career scoring record, he enjoyed making new friends, including the Arths, while spending time with family in Lafayette.

He was thrilled when Tom and Annie Arth's son, Henry, led Central Catholic's baseball team to the 2004 Class A state championship.

And he grew to adore Annie Arth's sharp sense of humor and tell-it-like-it-is personality.

"Nick had several conversations with Annie about her disease," Julie Novak said. "He says he is going to start a foundation for ovarian cancer research."

In the aftermath of Sunday's game-winning quick, Nick Novak tried unsuccessfully to fight back tears as he spoke with media members about the significance of the moment and the significance of Annie Arth's influence on him.

"I just wanted to get it through there for her," Novak said. "That was for her."

It was the second consecutive game in which Novak made a game-winning kick.

An undrafted rookie signed when Redskins' kicker John Hall was injured, Novak made the game-winning extra point in a 14-13 victory at Dallas, where Annie Arth traveled in 2004 to receive cancer treatments.

Bob and Julie Novak, who traveled to Dallas for their son's NFL debut, decided not to attend Sunday's game against Seattle in Landover, Md.

Son Chris Novak helped organize the Katrina Live Aid Concert at Purdue's Slayter Hill, arranging for nine bands and guitarist Henry Arth to perform.

"Annie was so excited about Henry playing," Julie Novak said. "We were at Slayter Center when Henry arrived, just as Nick called to tell us about the kick.

"Nick said he had gotten emotional after the game. Just then, Henry was going on stage. Henry's sister, Elizabeth, waited until after he finished playing to tell him about Annie. We didn't tell Chris until Katrina Live Aid was over."

Signed by the Bears after making 80 of 107 field goals and 153 of 159 extra points at Maryland, Nick Novak provided Annie Arth with a pleasant distraction from her illness.

"Annie was hoping he would kick for the Bears, because the Arths love the Bears," Julie Novak said. "When he was in training camp pushing Doug Brien for the job, she thought it was great."

The Bears released Novak, who then briefly was in the Cowboys' camp. When Washington's Hall suffered a quadriceps injury, Novak became a Redskin -- the favorite team of Annie Arth's sister, Phoebe, who also died of cancer.

"I've got to tell you, in our practices he has been very impressive," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "I think he has a good temperament. We made him kick two to win it (a penalty nullified a successful 34-yarder that would have won it a minute earlier). He is mentally tough."

Novak said Sunday's kick -- less than an hour before Annie Arth died -- is the most important field goal he ever has made.

"By far bigger," Novak said. "This is a whole new level. Seeing my teammates come up and congratulate you -- all the great players surrounding you and giving you confidence -- it's a great thing."

Said Gibbs: "The good thing (Novak) did there was that he made a statement for himself. For his future, that was big."

It was big, too, for Annie Arth's family.

-- Leonard Shapiro of the Washington Post contributed to this story

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