Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERto getcant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered righttoyour inbox. He is also fully practicing. ", Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 30, 2016. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. 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. Rainy. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 . 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. "Steve Antonopulos is what the Denver Broncos are all about," John Elway aptly summed up on the Broncos' website. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. His Bronco days started in 1976. It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. 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). 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 Drive was so special. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. 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. View Steve Antonopulos's record in Limon, CO including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. Their grandparents often move better in that instant. 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. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. Greek goes to bed early because he gets here about 4 in the morning or 4:30 in the morning. Found this classic can in hubs stuff. In all he was on the sideline for 941 games (preseason, regular season and postseason) and worked for 13 different head coaches. Those things are unbelievable and the number of great people and great minds of technology was phenomenal with what you can do for the medical care of football players., Without question, it was our second year here (1984) and he had to go in the offseason to Boston for a Lloyds of London insurance policy. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. General manager John Elway toldDenver Posts Nicki Jhabvala: Elway on Gotsis: "A guy we think has a really high *ceiling. 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 . 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. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. Athletic training is also one of the first NFL staff positions to be held by women. 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. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. "A great, great guy, as well as a great ambassador.". ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. 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. Steve Greek Antonopulos, the only person to work for the Broncos during each of their eight Super Bowl appearances, announced Monday he is retiring after 45 seasons of service. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. 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 Drive was so special. Denver's tale of the tape under Antonopulos: 941 total games (incl. And he played the whole game. Steve (Greek) Antonopulos was the first one. 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. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? He was to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. Steve Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. I love being around young people who keep me young. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. I work for a great organization that cares about people. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. 41-yrs! After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. We thought it would be (quick). The next, crippled. Kentucky's Will Levis, a likely top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, spoke Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine and -- in under 15 minutes -- presented himself as arguably the most self-assured QB in this year's class. If they are working in an NFL medical facility it can be even more. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? 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. As one of six female athletic trainers in the @NFL, Allison Miner is living her dream. 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. I woke him up. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. 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 just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. Professional football players endure incessant chronic pain in the playing days and beyond. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. "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. Players are not treated as replaceable pieces of football productivity. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and retired in 2021 as the teams director of sports medicine. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. Antonopulos, 72, has worked with the Broncos for nearly 50 years, making his the longest career with one team in NFL history. At the moment, Im just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I cant wait to get up there. It was phenomenal. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. Forty-five years is a long time. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. Not a member? Please check your email for a confirmation. Denver will also honor Steve Antonopulos at one of their home games during the 2021 season. 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. He is the only individual to be part of all eight Broncos Super Bowl runs. 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. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. I always thought that might zing me one day.. Ill see you in the morning. And that morning, we went in and he looked at me, and we just lost it. Tonight, we celebrated head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. Ryan OHalloran covered the Broncos for The Post from 2018-22 and has covered the NFL since 2004. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. 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. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. 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. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. Vince Garcia. I told him that, and he said. He held the post until 2016, after which he transitioned into his role as director of sports medicine for four years. A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. Odds & lines subject to change. The livelihood of their families depend on the high body performance. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. Antonopulos was the longest-tenured employee at the franchise. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. The weather was awful. | . Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II is the early leader for fastest player at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine after posting a time of 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash on Friday. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. 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. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. He is one of the richest baseball managers in Canada. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. I have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. 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. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. Now hes walking away for good as hes going to retire where he grew up on the eastern plains. ", Broncos coach Vic Fangio said following Monday's OTA practice: "45 years of service to one organization is unheard of in the NFL, and that speaks volumes to his competency and the value he brought to this organization over such a long period of time.". On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to celebrate 40 years of service by Greek. Horse Tracks: Should the Broncos spend big money on a free agent running back. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. 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. 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. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke with media members on Friday for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication in late January. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. Sleeting. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. Ill always be a Bronco.. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. 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.. 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. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. Bowlen was football first, business second'. Sleeting. That way, we are either working with them or doing administrative work. 1. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. Since he started setting up the training room, the Broncos have been to the playoffs 22 times. "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. There were 983 players who played at least one regular-season game for the Broncos in his tenure. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. Less than a decade after winning the Super Bowl MVP he had left knee replacement surgery. > Top stories curated daily just for you! It was embarrassing, the whole concept. "Greek" is in his 41st year with the #Broncos! It wasnt really an injury. I always thought that might zing me one day.. Their athletic body movements express their identity. Scissors, tape remover, whirlpools, ultrasound gel, and treatment tables. Ill always be a Bronco.. The weather was awful. Denver Broncos longtime trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retired Monday after 45 years with the team. 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. "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. He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. It was phenomenal. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. Example video title will go here for this video. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. 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. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. 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. 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 . Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos with Jim Gillen talk being head athletic trainers https://t.co/nTFo5XtbrK, R. David Mullin (@RD_Mullin) August 17, 2016. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. He closed the door and he went nuts again. With the Broncos, Greek transitioned to specialize in rehabilitation and was promoted to head trainer in 1980. 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. 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. 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. (Coach) Dan Reeves made the decision to have him drive to San Diego for the game. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. Steve Antonopulos assists injured QB John Elway at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday Jan.12, 1992. Allen called me the first week of July. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. Included in the Broncos' draft room is trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who is working his 41st NFL Draft. I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. 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. #NGWSD. That poor guy. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Is the job worth the derision? Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. Greek received both Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, and began his athletic trainer career at Fort Hays State University in Kansas in 1973, working there until 1976. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. 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. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. "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. The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. Gotsis had yet to be treated by the man crucial to his draft selection and his successful knee rehabilitation, head athletic trainerSteve Antonopulos. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. Former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who arrived to the Broncos as a rookie . Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. 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. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. 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.. 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. ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. 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. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! 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. And these team doctors, for licensed medical doctors they are, can earn in the range of $200,000 and $512,500 per year. 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. So I called him. 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. At the moment it is week-by-week. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. 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. Steve Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. After treating nearly 1,000 different players during the past 45 years, Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired as Broncos trainer. "the Greek" and considered by many of his peers as tops in his profession, has worked for coaches Red Miller, Dan Reeves, Wade Phillips and Mike Shanahan as the Bronco. Those things are unbelievable and the number of great people and great minds of technology was phenomenal with what you can do for the medical care of football players., Without question, it was our second year here (1984) and he had to go in the offseason to Boston for a Lloyds of London insurance policy. Yet behind closed doors they respond to the ordinary, commonplace maladies of bruises, lacerations, soft tissue tears, and broken bones. We thought it would be (quick). 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. Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. Listen, I really appreciate you calling me. 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. 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. Greek in his own words,as told to the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers: The worst part of the job is seeing players devastated by being injured. Antonopulos is the only Broncos employee who has been to all eight Super Bowls. His career is still going as the team's director of sports medicine. 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. 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. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. Greek is ever present when scary injuries occur, such as the incident with defensive end Derek Wolfe in the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 17, 2013. Here are those results. 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 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. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. I love the energy required to survive in this game. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. In honor of his impact & dedication these last 45 years, were naming the training room after Steve Greek Antonopulos. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. 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. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder.