It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. 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 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 has the respect of the players that he has cared for over the years, and that is the reason many of them will call to ask his advice even after they have left the organization. He is also fully practicing. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. 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. 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. Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis. 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 . You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! 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. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. The weather was awful. Since he started setting up the training room, the Broncos have been to the playoffs 22 times. Their bones, cartilage, and ligaments bear theburden of these familial expectations. 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. Veteran free agentRussell Okung, the starting left tackle, was signed during the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery. 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. Steve Antonopulos gave the Denver Broncos 45 incredible years as their athletic trainer, having trained the likes of Peyton Manning and Shannon Sharpe, among others. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. As one of six female athletic trainers in the @NFL, Allison Miner is living her dream. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. After treating nearly 1,000 different players during the past 45 years, Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired as Broncos trainer. I love the energy required to survive in this game. The next, crippled. If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. 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. 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. Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis told Ryan OHalloran of The Denver Post, Broncos free agent profile: Dalton Risner, Broncos give behind-the-scenes look at the NFL combine. The two went on to lead theteam in tackles lastseason. We were taxing to take off and he just went nuts and jumped out of his seat and was screaming and the pilot pulled up, opened the door and let him get a breath. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. 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. Ryan OHalloran covered the Broncos for The Post from 2018-22 and has covered the NFL since 2004. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. They see their players physical and emotional fragility. For a 2 p.m. start, he comes tothe stadium at 7:30 a.m. John Elways pro football career had bookends of torn up body parts. On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to celebrate 40 years of service by Greek. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. 2 / 24. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required. 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. 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. preseason), 438 total wins, 13 head coaches, 983 players with at least one game appearance. Denver will rename the training room at UCHealth Training Center the Steve "Greek" Antonopulos Training Room and will recognize the trainer at a home game this season. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. I have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. 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. 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. The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. 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. A fellow trainer at Fort Hays was Jim Gillen, who later became the head athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. 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. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. The weather was awful. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. He had a fear of flying. He held the post until 2016, after which he transitioned into his role as director of sports medicine for four years. They required him to go there for a physical. In honor of his impact & dedication these last 45 years, were naming the training room after Steve Greek Antonopulos. Pat Bowlen's family has chosen Steve "Greek" Antonopulos to serve as the owner's presenter at the Hall of Fame . At the moment it is week-by-week. We were taxing to take off and he just went nuts and jumped out of his seat and was screaming and the pilot pulled up, opened the door and let him get a breath. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. Anthopoulos successful career has earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy cars. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. There are team physicians, such as head team physician Martin Boublik of Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver. During John Elway's 16-year playing career and his decade leading the Broncos' front office, he was able to rely on Director of Sports Medicine Steve "Greek" Antonopulos for a lot. 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. 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. He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. pic.twitter.com/N8K1CSmUdg, Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) August 4, 2016. I love my job. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. 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. General manager John Elway toldDenver Posts Nicki Jhabvala: Elway on Gotsis: "A guy we think has a really high *ceiling. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. Antonopulos became head trainer in 1979 making him what is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer in NFL history. Rainy. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. I love the challenges that are presented each day. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. Will they play well again? No one cared more about the players than Greek. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. 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. "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. Not a member? 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. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. With the Broncos, Greek transitioned to specialize in rehabilitation and was promoted to head trainer in 1980. The Denver Broncos have leaned toward acquiring injured players during the offseason.Three of the top five draft picks had injuries that prevent them for full athletic participation in the rookie mini camp on May 6-8. Steve Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. 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. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. 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. Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. In 2005, Greek said: The initial treatment wasicing, compression, and elevation (ICE). But according to those who know him well, Greeks domain also contains a rare element in the Not For Long professional football league: an endless supply of unsentimental, deep compassion. He earned the head trainer position in 1979. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. If you dont have passion, you are in the wrong field. "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. ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. "Greek" is in his 41st year with the #Broncos! Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. 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. His physical was first thing in the morning. Forty-five years is a long time. 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? No one cared more about the players than Greek. "It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. 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. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. Please logout and login again. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. Antonopulos is the only Broncos employee who has been to all eight Super Bowls. Athletic trainers are the first on the field when an NFL player is injured, and in the case of a serious injury, they have to use quick decision-making to treat the player immediately. Ill always be a Bronco.. Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. It was embarrassing, the whole concept. Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. For me, Ill always remember Antonopulos for the clips he dominated from Super Bowl 32 when Terrell Davis went down with a migraine in the second quarter. 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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. It was dreary. That poor guy. 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. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. I have always respected the fact that Steve is the kind of person that will look you in the eye and tell you what he is thinking and commit to his word. He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. 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). Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. 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. We thought it would be (quick). Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. During his time as a trainer, the Denver Broncos posted a 438-311-1 record. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.". 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. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. 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.

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