He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. 2 / 24. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. There are team physicians, such as head team physician Martin Boublik of Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver. Few peoplenoticed that Smyth also tweeted this on the first day of the NFL draft: https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2016/08/17/steve-greek-antonopulos-is-the-broncos-12th-man/, Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional, reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway, 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. Is the job worth the derision? Florida's Anthony Richardson, one of the draft's most intriguing QB prospects, told reporters on Friday that in high school he modeled his game after two notable passers: Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson. Found this classic can in hubs stuff. Pat Bowlen's family has chosen Steve "Greek" Antonopulos to serve as the owner's presenter at the Hall of Fame . Steve Antonopulos reaches out to injured linebacker Nick Greisen in Englewood, Colo., on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. cant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right, Players given Kratom by Colorado coach, police say, Skier Shiffrin's quest for 86th win extended after downhill, 77 inches of snow fall at Colorado ski area in 9 days, 'Greek' Antonopulos: Presenting Bowlen for HOF has been emotional time, 'Greek' on man he will present to HOF: 'Mr. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. Of . Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 . 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. What a run. Hes been here north of 37 years, and every day, Mr. Bowlen started his day, by parking in the garage, coming up through the steps and stopping by Greeks office and chatting with him. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. I have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. 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,. In announcing the retirement of the man everyone called Greek, the Broncos said he treated 980 different players in the regular season and playoffs. 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). Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires after 45 seasons with franchise - The Denver Post Sports NFL Denver Broncos News News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Anthopoulos successful career has earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy cars. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. Antonopulos graduated from Northern Colorado with bachelors and masters degrees and was working as the head trainer and a physical education teacher at Fort Hays (Kan.) State in 1976 when a Johnson & Johnson representative told him about an opening to be Hursts only assistant. Steve Antonopulos, a.k.a. And he played the whole game. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. View Steve Antonopulos's business profile as Head AT at Denver Broncos. Your login session has expired. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. Broncos head trainer Steve Antonopulos, who is in his 40th season with the team, was presented with a painting created by noted artist Gabe Richesson. That way, we are either working with them or doing administrative work. 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. The worst locker room in the NFL to a point where we had to tape our athletes in the bathroom if you could imagine that, the locker room was so small. Applauding him as "an institution with the Broncos for the last 45 years," Denver bid farewell Monday to director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos, who retired at 72 years old. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. Broncos to rename training room for Steve Antonopulos, honor him at a Broncos game. 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. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. It was phenomenal. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. Athletic trainers with little to no experience make just above $30,000 each year, which, in regards to the amount of work and responsibility that athletic trainers have, may not seem like a lot of. 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NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. I always thought that might zing me one day.. By Tim Lynch @TimLynch1978 Jun 7, 2021, 8:50am MDT Share this story. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. He earned the head trainer position in 1979. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. In July 2016, Antonopulos began the road to retirement when he took on a new role and Vince Garcia was promoted to head athletic trainer. Allen called me the first week of July. "It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. As one of six female athletic trainers in the @NFL, Allison Miner is living her dream. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. Enjoying Sportskeeda's coverage? Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The doctor that gave him the physical was Arthur Pappas, one of the Red Sox owners, and he took us over to Fenway Park and I still have the picture of John and myself at home plate. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. He depended on him for help recovering from injuries, advice on health concerns when evaluating players and, often, simply the friendship that they cultivated over . 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. Trainer Antonopulos, a Broncos' 'fixture,' retires, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? 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. The Broncos will have a new person as the head of their training staff for the first time in a long time. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. 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). Their athletic body movements express their identity. Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Get to know all 17 Denver mayor candidates , Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos retires after 45 seasons with franchise, As Broncos wrap up stay at NFL Combine, busy offseason of change churns toward free agency, draft, Broncos check in No. 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. Here's a look. 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. Antonopulos and his wife, Susan, have a blended family of five kids and seven grandkids and will split their time between homes in Limon., and Tucson, Ariz., and driving their RV to visit family. pic.twitter.com/N8K1CSmUdg, Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) August 4, 2016. Antonopulos, 72, has worked with the Broncos for nearly 50 years, making his the longest career with one team in NFL history. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the only person to be a part of all eight Broncos Super Bowl appearances. 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. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. However, Anthopoulos served as an advance scout for the Greek National Baseball Team for the . Professional athletic trainers are required to be certified so that they can diagnose injuries and determine treatment plans for injuries. Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. No other NFL trainer has treated a teams general manager, head coach, offensive coordinator and current roster of players. His physical was first thing in the morning. 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. 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. 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. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. I always thought that might zing me one day.. He is one of the richest baseball managers in Canada. It wasnt really an injury. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. 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. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. 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. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. Greek in his own words,as told to the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers: The worst part of the job is seeing players devastated by being injured. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. Or does the salary serve as a salve to those wounds? I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. I work for a great organization that cares about people. Listen, I really appreciate you calling me. Forty-five years is a long time. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. (Coach) Dan Reeves made the decision to have him drive to San Diego for the game. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. I love the relationships I have developed over the years. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. Greek was there to give head coach Mike Shanahan continual updates as he worked to treat TDs migraine. No one cared more about the players than Greek. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, James to join Ravens, files grievance vs. Broncos, Ranking the 25 biggest position upgrades of the NFL offseason, NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus which players benefited most from the draft, Covered Broncos for nine years for Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, Previously covered Steelers, Bills and Titans, Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame Board. 1. 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. Professional football players endure incessant chronic pain in the playing days and beyond. We thought it would be (quick). It's spanned 900. 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. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. 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. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. Yet behind closed doors they respond to the ordinary, commonplace maladies of bruises, lacerations, soft tissue tears, and broken bones. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who arrived to the Broncos as a rookie quarterback in 1983 and spent well over two decades with the franchise himself, has joked that Antonopulos was with the Broncos before the orange and blue in the uniforms. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Greek goes to bed early because he gets here about 4 in the morning or 4:30 in the morning. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? Antonopulos, 72, was a constant factor in the Broncos long run of success over the last 4+ decades treating and working with every single player Denver employed over those years. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. During his tenure, Antonopulos picked up the following accolades: NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award and the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award. ", Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 30, 2016. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. 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. Please check your email for a confirmation. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. You must be logged in to leave a comment. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. 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. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. 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. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. He was Bowlen's presenter when Bowlen was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. A native of North Dakota and graduate of Kansas State, OHalloran previously covered the Washington Redskins for eight years, primarily at The Washington Times, and the Jacksonville Jaguars for six years at The Florida Times-Union. If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. "the Greek" and considered by many of his peers as tops in his profession, has worked for coaches Red Miller, Dan Reeves, Wade Phillips and Mike Shanahan as the Bronco. 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. Antonopulos, 72, started working for the Broncos on St. Patricks Day 1976 as an assistant trainer, was promoted to director of rehabilitation in 80, to head athletic trainer in 81 and was director of sports medicine since 2016. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. Rather respecting them in their most important roles as sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands. 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. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. Vince Garcia. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. That poor guy. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. "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," said team President and CEO Joe Ellis. Denver Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 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. His physical was first thing in the morning. Athletic trainers with little to no experience make just above $30,000 each year, which, in regards to the amount of work and responsibility that athletic trainers have, may not seem like a lot of money. The players arrive for treatment at 6:30 a.m., and the player meetings start around 8:15 a.m. We have long-term rehabs while players are in meetings. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. He is the teams 12th man. Bowlen was football first, business second'. Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Scissors, tape remover, whirlpools, ultrasound gel, and treatment tables. You have the passion to do it. His salary is around $10 million and his main source of income is from his career as a business executive. Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis. 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 . When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. No one cared more about the players than Greek. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. Denver Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. As he would watch games with his father and neighbors, he would say to himself, Someday, somehow, someway, Im going to work for the Denver Broncos.. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. 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. 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. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. The very best of medical practitioners effortlesslyblend sincere empathy and proficient treatment with their patients. During his time as a trainer, the Denver Broncos posted a 438-311-1 record. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Not only did the club pick up Gotsis in the draft, but the Broncos chose running back Devontae Booker, who recently had two surgical procedures on a torn meniscus. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. 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. Sleeting. In honor of his impact & dedication these last 45 years, were naming the training room after Steve Greek Antonopulos. It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. Once I get up to Denver and visit with the team doctors, they can check out my knee and do all of that, and then we can go from there. (Coach) Dan Reeves made the decision to have him drive to San Diego for the game. There is no verbal banter of windy platitudes to stoke quixotic fantasies of either management or players. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. And he played the whole game. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. After treating nearly 1,000 different players during the past 45 years, Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired as Broncos trainer. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. 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.
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