Few peoplenoticed that Smyth also tweeted this on the first day of the NFL draft: https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2016/08/17/steve-greek-antonopulos-is-the-broncos-12th-man/, Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional, reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway, 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. 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. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. 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.. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. 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. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. Greek was there to give head coach Mike Shanahan continual updates as he worked to treat TDs migraine. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. 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. And he played the whole game. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. I woke him up. 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. At the moment it is week-by-week. Ill see you in the morning. And that morning, we went in and he looked at me, and we just lost it. I work for a great organization that cares about people. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. 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. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. 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. 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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. So I called him. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Get to know all 17 Denver mayor candidates , 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. 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. By Tim Lynch @TimLynch1978 Jun 7, 2021, 8:50am MDT Share this story. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. "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. It was dreary. Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires after 45 seasons with franchise - The Denver Post Sports NFL Denver Broncos News News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by. 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. Please logout and login again. Please check your email for a confirmation. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Pat Bowlen's family has chosen Steve "Greek" Antonopulos to serve as the owner's presenter at the Hall of Fame . After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. 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. A fellow trainer at Fort Hays was Jim Gillen, who later became the head athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. 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. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. Horse Tracks: Should the Broncos spend big money on a free agent running back. 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 . A look at Steve "Greek" Antonopulos' 41 years as the Broncos' head athletic trainer. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required. There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. 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. The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. 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. 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. 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. "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. A typical day for me starts at 4 a.m. pic.twitter.com/N8K1CSmUdg, Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) August 4, 2016. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. Sleeting. That way, we are either working with them or doing administrative work. 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). Register now! | . His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. What a run. 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. Of . Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. I love caring for people. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. They required him to go there for a physical. He was Bowlen's presenter when Bowlen was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. 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. 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. 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. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. The weather was awful. Ill always be a Bronco.. Denver Broncos longtime trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retired Monday after 45 years with the team. In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. 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. It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. Antonopulos was the longest-tenured employee at the franchise. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. No other NFL trainer has treated a teams general manager, head coach, offensive coordinator and current roster of players. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? 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. 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. Gotsis had yet to be treated by the man crucial to his draft selection and his successful knee rehabilitation, head athletic trainerSteve Antonopulos. By 1987 he received the NFL/Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) award for Training Staff of the Year. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. 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. He closed the door and he went nuts again. 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. ", 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.". 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. 2 / 24. There are team physicians, such as head team physician Martin Boublik of Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver. "Steve Antonopulos is what the Denver Broncos are all about," John Elway aptly summed up on the Broncos' website. He is also fully practicing. He is the only individual to be part of all eight Broncos Super Bowl runs. @Broncos celebrating head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos tonight. No one cared more about the players than Greek. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Their bones, cartilage, and ligaments bear theburden of these familial expectations. 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. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. 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 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. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors seven times for his work. 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. What a run. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. We allowed the soft tissues to heal and put him on a strengthening program and he played in about 10 days. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. A native of Hugo and graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Antonopulos first joined the Broncos in 1976 as assistant trainer to Allen 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. pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! I always thought that might zing me one day.. Sleeting. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. (photos via Broncos photo archive, unless noted) 1 / 24. 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.. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. It was dreary. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. 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! The weather was awful. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. 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. Antonopulos, 72, was a constant factor in the Broncos long run of success over the last 4+ decades treating and working with every single player Denver employed over those years. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. His motto was defend your desk. And the only way to defend your desk, Antonopulos would say, is to be at your desk. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. 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. 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. Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. Antonopulos, 72, has worked with the Broncos for nearly 50 years, making his the longest career with one team in NFL history. 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. Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. 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. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. Included in the Broncos' draft room is trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who is working his 41st NFL Draft. Athletic trainers are the first on the field when an NFL player is injured, and in the case of a serious injury, they have to use quick decision-making to treat the player immediately. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. Ill always be a Bronco.. Broncos director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has been selected by the family of owner Pat Bowlen to present him at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio. 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. Listen, I really appreciate you calling me. Rainy. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. It was embarrassing, the whole concept. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. Is the job worth the derision? Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. His physical was first thing in the morning. In 2017, Antonopulos was promoted to the teams director of sports medicine, where he oversaw all aspects of the clubs training and rehabilitation process. Denver will also honor Steve Antonopulos at one of their home games during the 2021 season. Bowlen was football first, business second'. 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. 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. 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. 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. It's spanned 900. 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