Antonopulos applied for the job and Hurst reached out to have breakfast in Denver when Fort Hays was coming through town between basketball games at Northern Colorado and Southern Colorado (now CSU-Pueblo). "Steve has been an institution with the Broncos for the last 45 years and became one of the most respected athletic training professionals in all of sports," Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. As the only person in the history of the Broncos to be part of all eight Super Bowls, Greek made a profound impact on this organization. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. https://t.co/2uuh4JmP6H#ThankYouGreek pic.twitter.com/VljaBUgaTn, Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis told Ryan OHalloran of The Denver Post. The next, crippled. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. For a 2 p.m. start, he comes tothe stadium at 7:30 a.m. A motto for Antonopulos was Defend My Desk., When a new owner or coach was hired, he said: They come in and have 100 things going on and what they dont need is somebody trying to make an appointment and promote themselves. After Greeks retirement was announced, team president/CEO Joe Ellis released the following statement: Steve has been an institution with the Broncos for the last 45 years and became one of the most respected athletic training professionals in all of sports. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos to serve as Pat Bowlen's HOF presenter Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It's spanned 900. Antonopulos forged strong relationships with coaches and players alike and had a particularly close bond with late owner Pat Bowlen, who bought the Broncos in 1984. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. 2 / 24. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! 1 draft pick, Report: Derek Carr wants $35 million per year, The Raiders are the betting favorites to land Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy: Kellen Moore wants to light the scoreboard up, I want to run the damn ball, Arrest warrant issued for Jalen Carter for reckless driving, racing, ESPN reiterates report that Lamar Jackson wants a fully-guaranteed deal, Aaron Rodgers says hell make a decision soon enough, Competition Committee begins to explore the quarterback push play, Players say Chiefs discourage them from reporting injuries, have NFLs worst training staff, Bryce Young is just over 5-10 and 204 pounds. It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. The award is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL, as well as exemplary performance. The Broncos accurate confidence about Gotsis recovery greatly depended on the assessment and follow-through bythe mancalled Greek at the clubs UCHealth Training Center. He got $26.4 million without playing a down for the Colts last year 32 percent more than his first-year salary with the Broncos. ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. I use the time to work out and do administrative tasks. Broncos honor longtime trainer Steve Antonopulos He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors seven times for his work. Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. Steve Antonopulos is the only Denver Broncos employee that has been with the team through all eight Super Bowl appearances, which included three title victories. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. Among his career accolades are the Fain-Cain Memorial Award (2011), an honor bestowed to trainer who exemplifies long-term commitment to the NFL, the NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award (1987), the National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award (1996) and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2006). Antonopulos forged strong relationships with coaches and players alike and had a particularly close bond with late owner Pat Bowlen, who bought the Broncos in 1984. Denver Broncos: Vic Fangio's funny take on Steve Antonopulos retiring Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. Antonopulos became head trainer in 1979 making him what is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer in NFL history. All three are full training camp participants. As a proud native Coloradoan, Greek loved the Broncos and gave everything he had to the job, arriving most days before 4:30 a.m. and keeping that same passion throughout his entire career. If they are working in an NFL medical facility it can be even more. Denver Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976, became head athletic trainer in 1981 and was promoted to the role of director of sports medicine in 2016. And he played the whole game. Steve Greek Antonopulos, the only person to work for the Broncos during each of their eight Super Bowl appearances, announced Monday he is retiring after 45 seasons of service. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. Rainy. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. They see their players physical and emotional fragility. It's an annual position that becomes even more demanding during training camp and the season. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's cap hit might be rising in 2023, but owner Jerry Jones believes his quarterback has the ability to bridge the gap in any talent the roster might lose because of it. It was embarrassing, the whole concept. Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERto getcant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered righttoyour inbox. Denver Broncos Long-Time Athletic Trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos The Go-To Guy - Los Angeles Times We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. He was to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. His career with the team began in 1976 and spanned all eight of the teams Super Bowl appearances, 10 general managers, and three and a half team owners. pic.twitter.com/N8K1CSmUdg, Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) August 4, 2016. The elation and what historically happened there for the Broncos was unbelievable., The old Kingdome in Seattle was a great place because of the crowd noise and it was a good place to travel. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. I told him that, and he said. Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II is the early leader for fastest player at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine after posting a time of 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash on Friday. (photos via Broncos photo archive, unless noted) 1 / 24. ", Broncos coach Vic Fangio said following Monday's OTA practice: "45 years of service to one organization is unheard of in the NFL, and that speaks volumes to his competency and the value he brought to this organization over such a long period of time.". Broncos' long time trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires Quarterback Mike White said he'd like to return to the New York Jets, but knows it might not happen as he heads toward free agency. In announcing the retirement of the man everyone called Greek, the Broncos said he treated 980 different players in the regular season and playoffs. His motto was defend your desk. And the only way to defend your desk, Antonopulos would say, is to be at your desk. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. In the days of the Orange Crush defense, Greek earned a customized can: . For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Players are not treated as replaceable pieces of football productivity. During an interview with The Denver Post, retiring Broncos director of sports medicine Steve Greek Antonopulos was asked for his favorite memories since joining the team in 1976: In October 1977, the Broncos traveled to face the defending Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders, who had won 17 consecutive games dating back to the previous season. If you dont have passion, you are in the wrong field. The Drive was so special. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. Steve Antonopulos - Address & Phone Number | Whitepages Sleeting. Please logout and login again. Or does the salary serve as a salve to those wounds? I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. Broncos' Athletic Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. Since the former Fort Hays head athletic trainer launched his NFL career, a lot has changed in the sport and in the world of athletic training, but Antonopulos' career had such remarkable longevity because he constantly worked to keep up with updating practices and help shape the evolving field. John Elway reflects on Steve Antonopulos' 45 years with the Broncos Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years. Antonopulos, who called Bowlen the ultimate owner, was selected by the Bowlen family in 2019 to present Pat at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. Veteran free agentRussell Okung, the starting left tackle, was signed during the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery. Head Athletic Trainer Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. You have the passion to do it. It was embarrassing, the whole concept. The weather was awful. So I called him. In the playoffs after the 1986 season, the Broncos traveled to Cleveland to win the AFC championship game in overtime, highlighted by The Drive to end regulation. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. But athletic trainers, as well as strength and conditioning coaches, also seem to be the first staff members to be blamed when an NFL team suffers numerous injuries. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. That way, we are either working with them or doing administrative work. Broncos director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has been selected by the family of owner Pat Bowlen to present him at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio. It was phenomenal. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. Listen, I really appreciate you calling me. During his 45-year career with the Broncos, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. The Broncos paid an ode to Antonopulos' hard work by naming their training room after him. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. FILE - Denver Broncos trainer Steve Antonopulos, center, talks with staff members during drills at the team's NFL football training camp in Englewood, Colo., in this July 19, 2019, file photo. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. His career is still going as the team's director of sports medicine. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? Anthopoulos successful career has earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy cars. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. In this job, Ive always tried to give all I can as a father and grandfather, but its hard because your time is so confined, he said. Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency, The most memorable pre-NFL draft workouts ever: Coaches, scouts, execs make their picks, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Raiders tag Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing leader. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. I love caring for people. Athletic trainers often work more than 12 hours a day and are required to travel with the team for away games and/or training camp. He was very straight forward, he was very honest and he was a really good communicator in that he has a good bedside manner in a position where that is obviously required.. He was a fixture on our sidelines for the greatest moments in team history, the first person running on the field to care for an injured player and the one who supported them through every step of their recovery. Broncos long time trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos retires, Horse Tracks: Potential Broncos Cap Casualties in 2023, 3 players the Broncos should consider cutting to make more cap room for the 2023 free agent class. They required him to go there for a physical. I love my job. "Greek" is in his 41st year with the #Broncos! Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos with Jim Gillen talk being head athletic trainers https://t.co/nTFo5XtbrK, R. David Mullin (@RD_Mullin) August 17, 2016. pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Found this classic can in hubs stuff. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. pic.twitter.com/MB6he9cRUp, Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 4, 2016. Steve Greek Antonopulos, the only person to work for the Broncos during each of their eight Super Bowl appearances, announced Monday he is retiring after 45 seasons of service. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. * A guy we think can get better and better. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. View Steve Antonopulos's record in Limon, CO including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. #NGWSD. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976, became head athletic trainer in 1981 and was promoted to the role of director of sports medicine in 2016. There were 983 players who played at least one regular-season game for the Broncos in his tenure. Past and current players including Peyton Manning and Von Miller . Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. Tonight, we celebrated head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. On April 28, moments after the selection of Gotsis, the Broncos draft headquarters was ecstatic, as tweeted by public relations vice president Patrick Smyth: Broncos GM John Elway, HC Gary Kubiak & DL coach Bill Kollar celebrate selection of DT Adam Gotsis in 2nd rd. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. Broncos president Joe Ellis saidthis to Daniel Petty of the Denver Post about the announcement of owner Pat Bowlens retirement due to Alzheimers in 2014: The night before, I thought of people who were so close to him in the organization and needed to know before the announcement came out the next day. Ill always be a Bronco.. The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot reach a long-term deal before March 7's deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources. There are a hundred athletic trainers currently employed in the NFL and the average salary for those trainers is about $75,000, a figure that can rise to $100,000 depending on experience. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. Genuine compassiondoes not stokepipe dreams but conveys the everyday dignity owed to any man, especially for the players attempting to secure a livelihood for their families to leap from ongoing poverty to sustained prosperity. Director of Operations Bill Horpel is hidden behind the trophy against the Green Bay Packers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on January 25, 1998. I woke him up. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. Gotsis had yet to be treated by the man crucial to his draft selection and his successful knee rehabilitation, head athletic trainerSteve Antonopulos. Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. Steve Antonopulos Head Athletic Trainer at Denver Broncos Parker, Colorado, United States 7 connections Join to connect Denver Broncos University of Northern Colorado Report this profile. Be the first one to comment on this story. "Steve Antonopulos is what the Denver Broncos are all about," John Elway aptly summed up on the Broncos' website. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos is the Broncos' 12th man You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Greeks relationship with him was very personal he helped Pat on a lot of different matters, but he was very helpful giving Pat help throughout the season on where his team was at and it was an honest assessment at all times, which was important to Pat.. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. Be the first one to comment on this story. https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/08/denver-broncos-news-steve-greek-antonopulos-retires-as-trainer/, 17 Broncos players set to become unrestricted free agents, 5 players Broncos might consider trading this offseason, 8 players Broncos should let walk during NFL free agency, 5 Broncos players who could become cap casualties this offseason, Broncos want to re-sign free agent LB Alex Singleton, Every time the Broncos have used a franchise tag in the past, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. > Top stories curated daily just for you! The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Antonopulos, who called Bowlen the ultimate owner, was selected by the Bowlen family in 2019 to present Pat at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. His influence on this franchise, the athletic training profession and throughout sports is far-reaching, mentoring countless interns and staff who went on to accomplish great things. John Elways pro football career had bookends of torn up body parts. He had a fear of flying. He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. Sleeting. In 2017, Antonopulos was promoted to the teams director of sports medicine, where he oversaw all aspects of the clubs training and rehabilitation process. Then in 1996 he received National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Athletic Trainer Service Award, and in 2006 Greek was given the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. Odds & lines subject to change. I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. As the only person in the history of the Broncos to be part of all eight Super Bowls, Greek made a profound impact on this organization. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Over the past 45 years, Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has been a welcoming presence in the Broncos' training rooms at the team's practice facilities, home and road stadiums and training camp locales none more so . Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. It is still early in the process. Antonopulos applied for the job and Hurst reached out to have breakfast in Denver when Fort Hays was coming through town between basketball games at Northern Colorado and Southern Colorado (now CSU-Pueblo). His Bronco days started in 1976. What a run. And he played the whole game. Greek goes to bed early because he gets here about 4 in the morning or 4:30 in the morning. He is one of the richest baseball managers in Canada. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. No one cared more about the players than Greek. Antonopulos started with the Broncos as an assistant athletic trainer in 1976, became the team's director of rehabilitation in 1979 and was hired as Denver's head athletic trainer in 1980. Denver's tale of the tape under Antonopulos: 941 total games (incl. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. Denver Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. Learn how your comment data is processed. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. Antonopulos was the longest-tenured employee at the franchise. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. A fellow trainer at Fort Hays was Jim Gillen, who later became the head athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. A motto for Antonopulos was Defend My Desk., When a new owner or coach was hired, he said: They come in and have 100 things going on and what they dont need is somebody trying to make an appointment and promote themselves. Antonopulos, whose office was routinely owner Pat Bowlen's first stop each morning when Bowlen arrived to work, is the longest-tenured employee in the franchise's history and is the only employee to have been with the Broncos for each of the team's eight Super Bowl trips. He was a fixture on our sidelines for the greatest moments in team history, the first person running on the field to care for an injured player and the one who supported them through every step of their recovery. He was the team's head trainer for 37 seasons and spent the past four seasons as the director of sports medicine. You must be logged in to leave a comment. Greek received both Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, and began his athletic trainer career at Fort Hays State University in Kansas in 1973, working there until 1976. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. He was very straight forward, he was very honest and he was a really good communicator in that he has a good bedside manner in a position where that is obviously required.. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. In this job, Ive always tried to give all I can as a father and grandfather, but its hard because your time is so confined, he said. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 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