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. They required him to go there for a physical. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. 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. Rainy. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. You must be logged in to leave a comment. Or does the salary serve as a salve to those wounds? 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. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It was phenomenal. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Sleeting. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. After treating nearly 1,000 different players during the past 45 years, Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired as Broncos trainer. Since he started setting up the training room, the Broncos have been to the playoffs 22 times. The weather was awful. Running back could be a sneaky priority need for the Denver Broncos. He was to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. I love the challenges that are presented each day. Enjoying Sportskeeda's coverage? 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. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. 41-yrs! 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. 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. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. Bowlen was football first, business second'. There is no verbal banter of windy platitudes to stoke quixotic fantasies of either management or players. I love the energy required to survive in this game. 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. Broncos' long time trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. Trainer Antonopulos, a Broncos' 'fixture,' retires, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? In honor of his impact & dedication these last 45 years, were naming the training room after Steve Greek Antonopulos. A unique choice for a unique owner: Why the Bowlen family chose Steve Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? We allowed the soft tissues to heal and put him on a strengthening program and he played in about 10 days. 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 2005, Greek said: The initial treatment wasicing, compression, and elevation (ICE). Please check your email for a confirmation. He is also fully practicing. 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. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. It's spanned 900. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. Athletic trainers have one of the more important jobs on a professional sports team, especially in the NFL. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results: Defensive linemen and linebackers. Paul Klee: Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos to present Broncos owner Pat pic.twitter.com/N8K1CSmUdg, Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) August 4, 2016. General manager John Elway toldDenver Posts Nicki Jhabvala: Elway on Gotsis: "A guy we think has a really high *ceiling. Steve Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! He earned the head trainer position in 1979. 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. Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERto getcant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered righttoyour inbox. "It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. 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. The first groups have completed their weigh-ins, measurements, and drills. He was Bowlen's presenter when Bowlen was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. Ill see you in the morning. And that morning, we went in and he looked at me, and we just lost it. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. 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. 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. Ill always be a Bronco.. Is the job worth the derision? Broncos honor longtime trainer Steve Antonopulos John Elways pro football career had bookends of torn up body parts. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. Denver Broncos laud retiring trainer Steve Antonopulos, 72, 'a fixture 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. 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. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. I love caring for people. but it can also be stressful. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. It wasnt really an injury. My wife deserves this and we need to move on,' Antonopulos told Ryan OHalloran of the Denver Post. * A guy we think can get better and better. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos: Through The Years - Denver Broncos Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. 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. 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. 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. The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. 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.. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), 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. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. 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. When I see a player incurring a major injury withering in pain on the field, I am seeing most the emotional agony and fear of uncertainty. Coach Gary Kubiaks unflappable reaction to the season-ending knee injury of starting defensive end Vance Walker on Tuesday was based on his confidence of the Denver Broncos reserve depth at the position. And he played the whole game. Broncos' sports medicine director retiring after 45 seasons - AP NEWS 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. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. He served as the head football trainer at his alma mater in 2009 before becoming one of Greeks assistant trainers from 2010-13. 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. 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. 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. I use the time to work out and do administrative tasks. Denver Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. His career is still going as the team's director of sports medicine. Listen, I really appreciate you calling me. Repeated selections of injured players shows the teams confidence in Greeks abilityto assess and treat injured players. 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. Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. 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). Former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who arrived to the Broncos as a rookie . Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. Broncos' sports medicine director retiring after 45 seasons - AP NEWS He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Greek was there to give head coach Mike Shanahan continual updates as he worked to treat TDs migraine. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Athletic training is also one of the first NFL staff positions to be held by women. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. 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 . "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. 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. Please logout and login again. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. At the moment it is week-by-week. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. 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 . NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and trainer Steve Antonopulos had a lifelong He is one of the richest baseball managers in Canada. 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. 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. For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. 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. 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. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. All three are full training camp participants. 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. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. 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. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. By Tim Lynch @TimLynch1978 Jun 7, 2021, 8:50am MDT Share this story. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. | . Broncos athletic trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retiring after 45 He had a fear of flying. Practice is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. From 1:30 to 3 p.m. we work on post practice treatments. 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 is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. 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. There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. He was the team's head trainer for 37 seasons and spent the past four seasons as the director of sports medicine. 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. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. 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. Of . I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. Antonopulos, 72, has worked with the Broncos for nearly 50 years, making his the longest career with one team in NFL history. 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. Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. Ryan OHalloran covered the Broncos for The Post from 2018-22 and has covered the NFL since 2004. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires as Denver Broncos' head trainer With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. Longtime Broncos athletic trainer, Director of Sports Medicine Steve "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. His salary is around $10 million and his main source of income is from his career as a business executive. Championships are made on practice fields; championships are also made in training rooms and rehab gyms. 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. Sleeting. Denver Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos, who recently retired this offseason, was the longest tenured athletic trainer in the NFL. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. Ill always be a Bronco.. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. In 2017, Antonopulos was promoted to the teams director of sports medicine, where he oversaw all aspects of the clubs training and rehabilitation process. I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. I love my job. 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 weather was awful. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. He is the only individual to be part of all eight Broncos Super Bowl runs. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. 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. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. 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. 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. 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. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. 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. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. 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. The Broncos paid an ode to Antonopulos' hard work by naming their training room after him. Denver Broncos news: Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires after 45 years We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. Allen called me the first week of July. Steve Antonopulos - Head AT - Denver Broncos | ZoomInfo Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. By 1987 he received the NFL/Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) award for Training Staff of the Year. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience.