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. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. An MRI told us the stub from the bicep was not in the joint. 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. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke with media members on Friday for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication in late January. That poor guy. The Broncos accurate confidence about Gotsis recovery greatly depended on the assessment and follow-through bythe mancalled Greek at the clubs UCHealth Training Center. Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. 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. Enjoying Sportskeeda's coverage? A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. 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. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. 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. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. It was dreary. He had a fear of flying. 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 . I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. 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. It was dreary. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. Antonopulos became head trainer in 1979 making him what is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer in NFL history. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. It's spanned 900. His physical was first thing in the morning. NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. In honor of his impact & dedication these last 45 years, were naming the training room after Steve Greek Antonopulos. Antonopulos was the longest-tenured employee at the franchise. There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. 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. Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. 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. 1. His career is still going as the team's director of sports medicine. Greek also saidthat Elway was one of the best players at injury recovery. Head Athletic Trainer Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. 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. 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 joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 . 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. Scissors, tape remover, whirlpools, ultrasound gel, and treatment tables. It was phenomenal. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. The Drive was so special. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. "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. "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. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? 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. 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. The Broncos paid an ode to Antonopulos' hard work by naming their training room after him. 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. 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. "A great, great guy, as well as a great ambassador.". Learn how your comment data is processed. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. All three are full training camp participants. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! He is also fully practicing. In 2005, Greek said: The initial treatment wasicing, compression, and elevation (ICE). 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. You must be logged in to leave a comment. "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. Will they play well again? Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. 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. 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. What a run. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. 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). pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. I love the relationships I have developed over the years. 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. 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. The Drive was so special. Less than a decade after winning the Super Bowl MVP he had left knee replacement surgery. 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). XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 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. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. 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.. Please check your email for a confirmation. @Broncos celebrating head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos tonight. A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required. His physical was first thing in the morning. 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 to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. Here's a look. 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. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. Denver Broncos longtime trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retired Monday after 45 years with the team. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. Championships are made on practice fields; championships are also made in training rooms and rehab gyms. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired from the NFL 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. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. 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. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. Is the job worth the derision? Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. Sleeting. Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. Trainer Antonopulos, a Broncos' 'fixture,' retires, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? 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. 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 embarrassing, the whole concept. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. The two went on to lead theteam in tackles lastseason. 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. Broncos president Joe Ellis saidthis to Daniel Petty of the Denver Post about the announcement of owner Pat Bowlens retirement due to Alzheimers in 2014: The night before, I thought of people who were so close to him in the organization and needed to know before the announcement came out the next day. Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis had this to say about Antonopulos during a phone interview with the Denver Post. On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to celebrate 40 years of service by Greek. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. 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. If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. A look at Steve "Greek" Antonopulos' 41 years as the Broncos' head athletic trainer. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. Quarterback Mike White said he'd like to return to the New York Jets, but knows it might not happen as he heads toward free agency. For a 2 p.m. start, he comes tothe stadium at 7:30 a.m. Marshall had several screws to hold together a foot while Travathan had major reconstruction surgery on his knee cap. Steve Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. It wasnt really an injury. He closed the door and he went nuts again. Or does the salary serve as a salve to those wounds? 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. Steve Antonopulos, a.k.a. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's cap hit might be rising in 2023, but owner Jerry Jones believes his quarterback has the ability to bridge the gap in any talent the roster might lose because of it. 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. The 2023 NFL Combine is underway. With the Broncos, Greek transitioned to specialize in rehabilitation and was promoted to head trainer in 1980. Is hard reset only way to salvage Jets QB dilemma? 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. He was the team's head trainer for 37 seasons and spent the past four seasons as the director of sports medicine. 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. Denver Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. 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.. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. 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.. We thought it would be (quick). "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. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. 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. Your login session has expired. The weather was awful. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. 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. pic.twitter.com/MB6he9cRUp, Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 4, 2016. 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. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. 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 Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. ", Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 30, 2016. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. but it can also be stressful. (photos via Broncos photo archive, unless noted) 1 / 24. | . Even before taking his first snap with the Broncos, he tore his left knees ACL in high school. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. If they are working in an NFL medical facility it can be even more. More Videos We allowed the soft tissues to heal and put him on a strengthening program and he played in about 10 days. Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. 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. Former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who arrived to the Broncos as a rookie quarterback in 1983 and spent well over two decades with the franchise himself, has joked that Antonopulos was with the Broncos before the orange and blue in the uniforms. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. Since he started setting up the training room, the Broncos have been to the playoffs 22 times. Ryan OHalloran covered the Broncos for The Post from 2018-22 and has covered the NFL since 2004. Denver Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. That way, we are either working with them or doing administrative work. However, Anthopoulos served as an advance scout for the Greek National Baseball Team for the . Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. 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. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. Vince Garcia. Rather respecting them in their most important roles as sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands. Veteran free agentRussell Okung, the starting left tackle, was signed during the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery. Yet behind closed doors they respond to the ordinary, commonplace maladies of bruises, lacerations, soft tissue tears, and broken bones. 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. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. 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. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. Be the first one to comment on this story. Horse Tracks: Should the Broncos spend big money on a free agent running back. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. His salary is around $10 million and his main source of income is from his career as a business executive. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. Allen called me the first week of July. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. 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. Running back could be a sneaky priority need for the Denver Broncos. There are team physicians, such as head team physician Martin Boublik of Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver. 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