Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. 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. Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERto getcant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered righttoyour inbox. 2 / 24. Through the Years: The illustrious career of Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos He is the teams 12th man. @Grindin_59 never saw this happening: https://t.co/62EHR6aweP pic.twitter.com/2ns3HQOWc3. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. 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. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis. Included in the Broncos' draft room is trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who is working his 41st NFL Draft. He was the team's head trainer for 37 seasons and spent the past four seasons as the director of sports medicine. Running back could be a sneaky priority need for the Denver Broncos. 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. Vince Garcia. 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. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. My wife deserves this and we need to move on,' Antonopulos told Ryan OHalloran of the Denver Post. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. He held the post until 2016, after which he transitioned into his role as director of sports medicine for four years. He is also fully practicing. John Elway reflects on Steve Antonopulos' 45 years with the Broncos Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. I woke him up. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. Broncos trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45 seasons with 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. A native of Hugo and graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Antonopulos first joined the Broncos in 1976 as assistant trainer to Allen Hurst. Antonopulos is the only Broncos employee who has been to all eight Super Bowls. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. Smith runs second-fastest 40 by DL since 03, Saleh compares Carr to Stafford pre-Rams trade, Allen to be ready to roll for offseason program, How to maximize leverage of No. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. It was embarrassing, the whole concept. For a 2 p.m. start, he comes tothe stadium at 7:30 a.m. And these team doctors, for licensed medical doctors they are, can earn in the range of $200,000 and $512,500 per year. Rather respecting them in their most important roles as sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands. 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. It's an annual position that becomes even more demanding during training camp and the season. So I called him. | . Denver's tale of the tape under Antonopulos: 941 total games (incl. Could they look to sign a veteran? We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. He was to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. He closed the door and he went nuts again. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos in a move CEO Joe Ellis called a no-brainer given his long run with the franchise. The weather was awful. 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 . His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? A unique choice for a unique owner: Why the Bowlen family chose Steve 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. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. We thought it would be (quick). 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. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. * A guy we think can get better and better. I told him that, and he said. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. 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. 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. Ryan OHalloran covered the Broncos for The Post from 2018-22 and has covered the NFL since 2004. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires after 45 seasons with Will they play well again? 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. We allowed the soft tissues to heal and put him on a strengthening program and he played in about 10 days. (Kicker) Jim Turner caught a (25-yard) touchdown pass on a fake field goal (from holder Norris Weese) and (linebacker) Tom Jackson went over and gave the bird to (coach) John Madden. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. 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. Six of Pat Bowlen's children and presenter Steve Antonopulos at the longtime Broncos owner's inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. 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. I love caring for people. Please check your email for a confirmation. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.". It's spanned 900. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. (Coach) Dan Reeves made the decision to have him drive to San Diego for the game. Antonopulos became head trainer in 1979 making him what is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer in NFL history. I love the energy required to survive in this game. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. "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. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. Please logout and login again. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. Be the first one to comment on this story. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. 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. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos with Jim Gillen talk being head athletic trainers https://t.co/nTFo5XtbrK, R. David Mullin (@RD_Mullin) August 17, 2016. That way, we are either working with them or doing administrative work. Learn how your comment data is processed. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. In honor of his impact & dedication these last 45 years, were naming the training room after Steve Greek Antonopulos. 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. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Aftersigning his $24.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears during the offseason,the NFL tweeted this about Trevathan: Knee injury.Knee injury.Knee injury.Big contract? 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.. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. 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. A fellow trainer at Fort Hays was Jim Gillen, who later became the head athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. 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. 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. 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. Of . Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. During his time as a trainer, the Denver Broncos posted a 438-311-1 record. Legendary Broncos Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos Retires They required him to go there for a physical. pic.twitter.com/MB6he9cRUp, Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 4, 2016. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. 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.. There is another player meeting from 3 to 4 p.m. Post practice treatments follow until we are done at approximately 6 p.m. On game day, Greek arrives very early as well. Broncos' long time trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires Although there are many female coaches in the NFL, athletic training and strength and conditioning were among the first positions to be filled by women. Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. No other NFL trainer has treated a teams general manager, head coach, offensive coordinator and current roster of players. Steve Antonopulos - Head AT - Denver Broncos | ZoomInfo Broncos athletic trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retiring after 45 By Tim Lynch @TimLynch1978 Jun 7, 2021, 8:50am MDT Share this story. 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. For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. His motto was defend your desk. And the only way to defend your desk, Antonopulos would say, is to be at your desk. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. 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. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos to serve as Pat Bowlen's HOF presenter Steve Antonopulos - Address & Phone Number | Whitepages Greek has four assistants and many intern athletic trainers. 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. Antonopulos service was rewarded in 2019 when the Bowlen family named him as presenter to longtime Broncos owner Pat Bowlen for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. For 45 years, athletic trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has been the epitome of what the Denver Broncos are all about.Greek, there arent words to describe the impact youve had on our organization, and we wish you nothing but the very best in retirement!#ThankYouGreek pic.twitter.com/HAKN6t7S7P. "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. By 1987 he received the NFL/Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) award for Training Staff of the Year. During the past four years, Antonopulos oversaw the Broncos training and medical treatment from on high, leaving Vince Garcia in charge of the day-to-day responsibilities. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. 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. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. 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. 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 first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. 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. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. #NGWSD. Antonopulos was the longest-tenured employee at the franchise. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. Denver Broncos Long-Time Athletic Trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. If you dont have passion, you are in the wrong field. 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. Horse Tracks: Should the Broncos spend big money on a free agent running back. 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. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. An MRI told us the stub from the bicep was not in the joint. Ill always be a Bronco.. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years. The 2023 NFL Combine is underway. In 2017, Antonopulos was promoted to the teams director of sports medicine, where he oversaw all aspects of the clubs training and rehabilitation process. 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. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Their athletic body movements express their identity. He earned the head trainer position in 1979. No one cared more about the players than Greek. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and trainer Steve Antonopulos had a lifelong 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. More Videos 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. 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). With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. 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. "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. Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required.