In announcing the retirement of the man everyone called Greek, the Broncos said he treated 980 different players in the regular season and playoffs. 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. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. His Bronco days started in 1976. It is still early in the process. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Steve (Greek) Antonopulos was the first one. 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. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to celebrate 40 years of service by Greek. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? It's an annual position that becomes even more demanding during training camp and the season. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. Is hard reset only way to salvage Jets QB dilemma? 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. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? 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. When I see a player incurring a major injury withering in pain on the field, I am seeing most the emotional agony and fear of uncertainty. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. 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. His physical was first thing in the morning. 1. but it can also be stressful. 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. Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. And he played the whole game. Now hes walking away for good as hes going to retire where he grew up on the eastern plains. Denver Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. 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.. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. His career is still going as the team's director of sports medicine. He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. 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. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. 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You have the passion to do it. The 2023 NFL Combine is underway. Aftersigning his $24.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears during the offseason,the NFL tweeted this about Trevathan: Knee injury.Knee injury.Knee injury.Big contract? 41-yrs! How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? 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 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. He is one of the richest baseball managers in Canada. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. 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. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. 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. 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. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was phenomenal. June 9, 2021 6:00 am MT. Please check your email for a confirmation. I use the time to work out and do administrative tasks. Even before taking his first snap with the Broncos, he tore his left knees ACL in high school. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. #NGWSD. 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. 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. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. Celebrating 40 years of service On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to . Please check your email for a confirmation. 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. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. (Coach) Dan Reeves made the decision to have him drive to San Diego for the game. 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 dreary. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. 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. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. 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. 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. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Drive was so special. 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. 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. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. Veteran free agentRussell Okung, the starting left tackle, was signed during the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. Past and current players including Peyton Manning and Von Miller . We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. 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.. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. A typical day for me starts at 4 a.m. We thought it would be (quick). 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. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.". His motto was defend your desk. And the only way to defend your desk, Antonopulos would say, is to be at your desk. 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. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. Antonopulos is the only Broncos employee who has been to all eight Super Bowls. Denver's tale of the tape under Antonopulos: 941 total games (incl. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. He is also fully practicing. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Tedious repetitions of arm pulls and leg lifts. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. An MRI told us the stub from the bicep was not in the joint. 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. 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. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. 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. It's spanned 900. Steve Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Less than a decade after winning the Super Bowl MVP he had left knee replacement surgery. At the moment, Im just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I cant wait to get up there. Rather respecting them in their most important roles as sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. In 2017, Antonopulos was promoted to the teams director of sports medicine, where he oversaw all aspects of the clubs training and rehabilitation process. 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. John Elways pro football career had bookends of torn up body parts. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. The Denver Broncos have leaned toward acquiring injured players during the offseason.Three of the top five draft picks had injuries that prevent them for full athletic participation in the rookie mini camp on May 6-8. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. Odds & lines subject to change. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. 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. Here's a look. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. That poor guy. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. 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. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos with Jim Gillen talk being head athletic trainers https://t.co/nTFo5XtbrK, R. David Mullin (@RD_Mullin) August 17, 2016. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. 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. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. I have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. Of . 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. I love caring for people. Vince Garcia. Included in the Broncos' draft room is trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who is working his 41st NFL Draft. 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. 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. 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. "Steve Antonopulos is what the Denver Broncos are all about," John Elway aptly summed up on the Broncos' website. 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. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. For instance, his work with offensive tackle Ryan Clady transformed what would have been dead salary cap money into transferable salary through Cladys trade to the New York Jets. "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Denver will also honor Steve Antonopulos at one of their home games during the 2021 season. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. I love being around young people who keep me young. 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results: Defensive linemen and linebackers. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. (Kicker) Jim Turner caught a (25-yard) touchdown pass on a fake field goal (from holder Norris Weese) and (linebacker) Tom Jackson went over and gave the bird to (coach) John Madden. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Broncos' Athletic Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. Not a member? Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. 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. 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. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. 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. Greek has four assistants and many intern athletic trainers. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. The Broncos will have a new person as the head of their training staff for the first time in a long time. 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. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. I work for a great organization that cares about people. 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). He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. 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. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. 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. Repeated selections of injured players shows the teams confidence in Greeks abilityto assess and treat injured players. I always thought that might zing me one day.. Sleeting. pic.twitter.com/N8K1CSmUdg, Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) August 4, 2016. > Top stories curated daily just for you! We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. 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. A look at Steve "Greek" Antonopulos' 41 years as the Broncos' head athletic trainer. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and retired in 2021 as the teams director of sports medicine. The livelihood of their families depend on the high body performance. Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. Please logout and login again. 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. Greek also saidthat Elway was one of the best players at injury recovery. 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.