The livelihood of their families depend on the high body performance. The first groups have completed their weigh-ins, measurements, and drills. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. 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. 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. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. 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.. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. Here are those results. 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. The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. That poor guy. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. 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. Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. Steve (Greek) Antonopulos was the first one. 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. 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. There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. Or does the salary serve as a salve to those wounds? 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. 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. pic.twitter.com/N8K1CSmUdg, Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) August 4, 2016. In addition to praising fifth-year veteran Jarek Crick, Kubiak also said that the team expectsa lot of Adam Gotsis, who is less than ten months away from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. Example video title will go here for this video. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. I love the challenges that are presented each day. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. 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. 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. Although not given the recognition they so often deserve, NFL athletic trainers are some of the most important support staff members in any organization. I always thought that might zing me one day.. 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. What a run. 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. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. 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. It was dreary. There are team physicians, such as head team physician Martin Boublik of Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver. 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. Denver Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who has served 45 years in the Broncos organization and was a part of the franchise's three Super Bowl victories, is retiring. Among his career accolades are the Fain-Cain Memorial Award (2011), an honor bestowed to trainer who exemplifies long-term commitment to the NFL, the NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award (1987), the National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award (1996) and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2006). He was special the way he handled it., The continued advancement of therapeutic exercises and the concussion protocols and the NFL hiring medical liaisons has been crucial in advancement of doing things the right way. Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. They required him to go there for a physical. 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. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. The Broncos will have a new person as the head of their training staff for the first time in a long time. 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. Denver will also honor Steve Antonopulos at one of their home games during the 2021 season. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. 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.. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. With the Broncos, Greek transitioned to specialize in rehabilitation and was promoted to head trainer in 1980. He arrived most days at 4:30 a.m. and was often the last to leave team headquarters at night. No one cared more about the players than Greek. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. 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. Rather respecting them in their most important roles as sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands. (Coach) Dan Reeves made the decision to have him drive to San Diego for the game. Horse Tracks: Should the Broncos spend big money on a free agent running back. Steve Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. ", Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 30, 2016. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? And these team doctors, for licensed medical doctors they are, can earn in the range of $200,000 and $512,500 per year. Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis. 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. Allen called me the first week of July. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Antonopulos became head trainer in 1979 making him what is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer in NFL history. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Denver Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos, who recently retired this offseason, was the longest tenured athletic trainer in the NFL. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. By 1987 he received the NFL/Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) award for Training Staff of the Year. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. Please logout and login again. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos with Jim Gillen talk being head athletic trainers https://t.co/nTFo5XtbrK, R. David Mullin (@RD_Mullin) August 17, 2016. 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. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. For instance, his work with offensive tackle Ryan Clady transformed what would have been dead salary cap money into transferable salary through Cladys trade to the New York Jets. Your login session has expired. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. 41-yrs! When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. Less than a decade after winning the Super Bowl MVP he had left knee replacement surgery. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. 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. John Elways pro football career had bookends of torn up body parts. 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. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. The Broncos announced Wednesday that longtime trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has been promoted to the team's director of sports medicine, where he will oversee all. "A great, great guy, as well as a great ambassador.". He is the teams 12th man. Here's everything we know, QB Young 5-10 1/8, 204 pounds at NFL combine, Sources: Patriots tell QB Hoyer he's being cut, Horns' Robinson: Versatility worthy of early pick, Jones: Not fixated on Cowboys' drought, just '23, Sources: Raiders plan franchise tag for Jacobs, WR Addison to Steelers' Pickett: 'Come get me', Wolverines' Turner wows with 4.26 40 at combine, Top QB prospect Levis eager to unleash 'cannon', Everything you need to know about Geno Smith's contract negotiations. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. He was very straight forward, he was very honest and he was a really good communicator in that he has a good bedside manner in a position where that is obviously required.. Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. Antonopulos is the only Broncos employee who has been to all eight Super Bowls. 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. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. 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. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.". "It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. Antonopulos applied for the job and Hurst reached out to have breakfast in Denver when Fort Hays was coming through town between basketball games at Northern Colorado and Southern Colorado (now CSU-Pueblo). "Steve has been an institution with the Broncos for the last 45 years and became one of the most respected athletic training professionals in all of sports," Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. @Broncos celebrating head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos tonight. They see their players physical and emotional fragility. Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, whose size has been a matter of conjecture in the run-up to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, officially measured in at 5-foot-10 1/8 and 204 pounds on Saturday. Rainy. 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. Sleeting. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. 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. For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. Ill always be a Bronco.. I love the energy required to survive in this game. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. 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. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. And he played the whole game. In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. Not a member? 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. I woke him up. He closed the door and he went nuts again. pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. The 2023 NFL Combine is underway. 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. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. Odds & lines subject to change. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. 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. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. After becoming head athletic trainer for the South Metro Fire Rescue in Centennial from 2014-15, Garcia rejoined the Broncos training staff as Antonopulos top assistant in 2016. Gambling problem? He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. Championships are made on practice fields; championships are also made in training rooms and rehab gyms. 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. Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. It was phenomenal. 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. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. @Grindin_59 never saw this happening: https://t.co/62EHR6aweP pic.twitter.com/2ns3HQOWc3. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. 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. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors seven times for his work. 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. He got $26.4 million without playing a down for the Colts last year 32 percent more than his first-year salary with the Broncos. 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 longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Be the first one to comment on this story. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. 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.. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? 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. 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. Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. (Coach) Dan Reeves made the decision to have him drive to San Diego for the game. Is the job worth the derision? The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 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. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. #NGWSD. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. It was embarrassing, the whole concept. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. 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). All three are full training camp participants. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. 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, a.k.a. 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. Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. View Steve Antonopulos's record in Limon, CO including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. 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. 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? Allen called me the first week of July. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. I love my job. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. 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. > Top stories curated daily just for you! 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results: Defensive linemen and linebackers. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. My wife deserves this and we need to move on,' Antonopulos told Ryan OHalloran of the Denver Post. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. For a 2 p.m. start, he comes tothe stadium at 7:30 a.m. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. | . He is one of the richest baseball managers in Canada. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 . After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. His salary is around $10 million and his main source of income is from his career as a business executive.

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