If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. 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. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. He is one of the richest baseball managers in Canada. 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. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. He held the post until 2016, after which he transitioned into his role as director of sports medicine for four years. Past and current players including Peyton Manning and Von Miller . Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. Sleeting. An MRI told us the stub from the bicep was not in the joint. In honor of his impact & dedication these last 45 years, were naming the training room after Steve Greek Antonopulos. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. 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. 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. 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. 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. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. Scissors, tape remover, whirlpools, ultrasound gel, and treatment tables. The Raiders plan to place the franchise tag on running back Josh Jacobs if the sides cannot come to a deal on a long-term extension by Tuesday's deadline, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Friday. Be the first one to comment on this story. 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. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. 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. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Broncos to rename training room for Steve Antonopulos, honor him at a Broncos game. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. Since he started setting up the training room, the Broncos have been to the playoffs 22 times. @Grindin_59 never saw this happening: https://t.co/62EHR6aweP pic.twitter.com/2ns3HQOWc3. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? It is still early in the process. 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. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results: Defensive linemen and linebackers. Even before taking his first snap with the Broncos, he tore his left knees ACL in high school. Here are those results. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. I always thought that might zing me one day.. "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. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Your login session has expired. Gambling problem? "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. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. Steve Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. He is also fully practicing. In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. I have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. His physical was first thing in the morning. 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That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. 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. 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. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. Forty-five years is 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. It wasnt really an injury. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. 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. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. Broncos head trainer Steve Antonopulos, who is in his 40th season with the team, was presented with a painting created by noted artist Gabe Richesson. 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 . When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. 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. It was dreary. 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. 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. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. The Broncos accurate confidence about Gotsis recovery greatly depended on the assessment and follow-through bythe mancalled Greek at the clubs UCHealth Training Center. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. Tonight, we celebrated head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. Ill always be a Bronco.. 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. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. 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. 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. Steve Antonopulos, a.k.a. "A great, great guy, as well as a great ambassador.". It wasnt really an injury. 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. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. You must be logged in to leave a comment. At the moment, Im just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I cant wait to get up there. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. 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. Pat Bowlen's family has chosen Steve "Greek" Antonopulos to serve as the owner's presenter at the Hall of Fame . Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. What a run. In all he was on the sideline for 941 games (preseason, regular season and postseason) and worked for 13 different head coaches. 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. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. > Top stories curated daily just for you! There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. They required him to go there for a physical. Ryan OHalloran covered the Broncos for The Post from 2018-22 and has covered the NFL since 2004. 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. Antonopulos was the longest-tenured employee at the franchise. 2 / 24. A typical day for me starts at 4 a.m. * A guy we think can get better and better. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to celebrate 40 years of service by Greek. 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. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. Odds & lines subject to change. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. Although not given the recognition they so often deserve, NFL athletic trainers are some of the most important support staff members in any organization. They required him to go there for a physical. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. 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. Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERto getcant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered righttoyour inbox. 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. ", 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.". The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. For a 2 p.m. start, he comes tothe stadium at 7:30 a.m. Former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who arrived to the Broncos as a rookie . Tedious repetitions of arm pulls and leg lifts. We allowed the soft tissues to heal and put him on a strengthening program and he played in about 10 days. Watch the Broncos tribute video to Greek, especially Gary Kubiaks words on how much Greek personally means to him: Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos celebrates 40 years of service with the Denver Broncos https://t.co/whCCXn6cFk. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. 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. The 2023 NFL Combine is underway. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. 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. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. 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. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. 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. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. 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.. 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He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. The Moving can be an exciting experience. 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. 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. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the only person to be a part of all eight Broncos Super Bowl appearances. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. 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. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. 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. There is no verbal banter of windy platitudes to stoke quixotic fantasies of either management or players. Denver Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos, who recently retired this offseason, was the longest tenured athletic trainer in the NFL. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. 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. Greek was there to give head coach Mike Shanahan continual updates as he worked to treat TDs migraine. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. 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.. Director of Operations Bill Horpel is hidden behind the trophy against the Green Bay Packers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on January 25, 1998. I love caring for people. He arrived most days at 4:30 a.m. and was often the last to leave team headquarters at night. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. 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..