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. In announcing the retirement of the man everyone called Greek, the Broncos said he treated 980 different players in the regular season and playoffs. View Steve Antonopulos's business profile as Head AT at Denver Broncos. Gambling problem? Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. 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. In all he was on the sideline for 941 games (preseason, regular season and postseason) and worked for 13 different head coaches. Greek was there to give head coach Mike Shanahan continual updates as he worked to treat TDs migraine. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. Their athletic body movements express their identity. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. He is also fully practicing. 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. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. Of . I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. 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. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. What a run. They required him to go there for a physical. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. I told him that, and he said. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.". I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot reach a long-term deal before March 7's deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources. "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. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. Not a member? It's an annual position that becomes even more demanding during training camp and the season. I love the relationships I have developed over the years. He closed the door and he went nuts again. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. Toward the end Elways ripped bicep. 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. | . 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. 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. 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. Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. Athletic trainers have one of the more important jobs on a professional sports team, especially in the NFL. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. You must be logged in to leave a comment. 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 love the energy required to survive in this game. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. 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. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. 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. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. preseason), 438 total wins, 13 head coaches, 983 players with at least one game appearance. 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. Professional athletic trainers are required to be certified so that they can diagnose injuries and determine treatment plans for injuries. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. 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). Although not given the recognition they so often deserve, NFL athletic trainers are some of the most important support staff members in any organization. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results: Defensive linemen and linebackers. * A guy we think can get better and better. 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. 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.. Allen called me the first week of July. 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 has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. Veteran free agentRussell Okung, the starting left tackle, was signed during the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 . The Drive was so special. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. In 2017, Antonopulos was promoted to the teams director of sports medicine, where he oversaw all aspects of the clubs training and rehabilitation process. There is another player meeting from 3 to 4 p.m. Post practice treatments follow until we are done at approximately 6 p.m. On game day, Greek arrives very early as well. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. Professional football players endure incessant chronic pain in the playing days and beyond. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. By Tim Lynch @TimLynch1978 Jun 7, 2021, 8:50am MDT Share this story. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. (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. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. His Bronco days started in 1976. Please check your email for a confirmation. Rainy. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. It wasnt really an injury. 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. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. The two went on to lead theteam in tackles lastseason. He is the teams 12th man. Please logout and login again. It was embarrassing, the whole concept. 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. 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.. It was dreary. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. It wasnt really an injury. 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. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. In 2005, Greek said: The initial treatment wasicing, compression, and elevation (ICE). Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. (Coach) Dan Reeves made the decision to have him drive to San Diego for the game. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. A look at Steve "Greek" Antonopulos' 41 years as the Broncos' head athletic trainer. There are team physicians, such as head team physician Martin Boublik of Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver. 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. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. And he played the whole game. He earned the head trainer position in 1979. ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. If you dont have passion, you are in the wrong field. Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. Steve Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. 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. (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. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? 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 have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. Tedious repetitions of arm pulls and leg lifts. Steve Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. 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. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned 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. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? Since he started setting up the training room, the Broncos have been to the playoffs 22 times. Repeated selections of injured players shows the teams confidence in Greeks abilityto assess and treat injured players. 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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. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. 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. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. You have the passion to do it. Ill see you in the morning. And that morning, we went in and he looked at me, and we just lost it. 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. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. It was phenomenal. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. 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.

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