Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis had this to say about Antonopulos during a phone interview with the Denver Post. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. 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. ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. 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. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. 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. 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. Ill always be a Bronco.. * A guy we think can get better and better. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. 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 . Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and retired in 2021 as the teams director of sports medicine. 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. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. 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. Allen called me the first week of July. @Grindin_59 never saw this happening: https://t.co/62EHR6aweP pic.twitter.com/2ns3HQOWc3. 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. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. His salary is around $10 million and his main source of income is from his career as a business executive. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. 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. He arrived most days at 4:30 a.m. and was often the last to leave team headquarters at night. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. 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. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. 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.. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. During his time as a trainer, the Denver Broncos posted a 438-311-1 record. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. 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. 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. 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. It's spanned 900. Antonopulos forged strong relationships with coaches and players alike and had a particularly close bond with late owner Pat Bowlen, who bought the Broncos in 1984. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. He served as the head football trainer at his alma mater in 2009 before becoming one of Greeks assistant trainers from 2010-13. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Running back could be a sneaky priority need for the Denver Broncos. pic.twitter.com/uwM5i7YAAm. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 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). 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. There is no verbal banter of windy platitudes to stoke quixotic fantasies of either management or players. I love caring for people. Included in the Broncos' draft room is trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who is working his 41st NFL Draft. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. The Moving can be an exciting experience. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. An MRI told us the stub from the bicep was not in the joint. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. 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. Their grandparents often move better in that instant. Steve Antonopulos assists injured QB John Elway at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday Jan.12, 1992. Be the first one to comment on this story. 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. 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.. "A great, great guy, as well as a great ambassador.". The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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. 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. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. 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. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. During his tenure, Antonopulos picked up the following accolades: NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award and the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. 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. Please check your email for a confirmation. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors seven times for his work. Is hard reset only way to salvage Jets QB dilemma? Ill always be a Bronco.. 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. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. June 9, 2021 6:00 am MT. 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. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. 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. 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. Sleeting. Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. Not only did the club pick up Gotsis in the draft, but the Broncos chose running back Devontae Booker, who recently had two surgical procedures on a torn meniscus. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. Less than a decade after winning the Super Bowl MVP he had left knee replacement surgery. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. He is the teams 12th man. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. 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 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). 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. Head Athletic Trainer Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. However, Anthopoulos served as an advance scout for the Greek National Baseball Team for the . Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. 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 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. 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. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. Enjoying Sportskeeda's coverage? Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. Hes been here north of 37 years, and every day, Mr. Bowlen started his day, by parking in the garage, coming up through the steps and stopping by Greeks office and chatting with him. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. Your login session has expired. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. 20 in NFLPA ranking of clubs based on locker rooms, food service, travel and more, From DreMont Jones and DeShawn Williams to mining the mid-rounds, DL a big offseason work area for Broncos, Broncos podcast: New coaching staff, impressions from NFL Scouting Combine, Sean Payton very excited to have Vance Joseph as Broncos DC after four years in Arizona, Colorado property owners to face astronomical tax increases next year, After School Satan Club launching first Colorado chapter, but organizer promises "we are not devil worshippers", PHOTOS: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band play Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado landlords say eviction-protection proposal could make dropping problem renters too hard, 5 can't-miss menus for Denver Restaurant Week, No more greasy pizza boxes, paper towels or takeout containers in Front Range compost bins come April 1, After teen's death, Denver East High students walk out to advocate for gun legislation, Boulder house where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Metro Denver housing market crosses firmly into negative territory in February, Kiszla: With Brendan Rodgers down and out, Kris Bryant could become $182 million face of worst team in Rockies history, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information.