We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. 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A fellow trainer at Fort Hays was Jim Gillen, who later became the head athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. We allowed the soft tissues to heal and put him on a strengthening program and he played in about 10 days. He served as the head football trainer at his alma mater in 2009 before becoming one of Greeks assistant trainers from 2010-13. "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 Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. Enjoying Sportskeeda's coverage? Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. | . It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. (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. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. That poor guy. He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. He was Bowlen's presenter when Bowlen was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. 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. 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. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? Denver Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. 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. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. 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). Steve Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. However, Anthopoulos served as an advance scout for the Greek National Baseball Team for the . Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. "Greek" is in his 41st year with the #Broncos! Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. 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. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. Celebrating 40 years of service On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to . The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. Veteran free agentRussell Okung, the starting left tackle, was signed during the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. 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. I always thought that might zing me one day.. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It's spanned 900. 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. 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. 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 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.. pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. 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. In all he was on the sideline for 941 games (preseason, regular season and postseason) and worked for 13 different head coaches. Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. 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. Running back could be a sneaky priority need for the Denver Broncos. 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. ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. 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. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. #NGWSD. In addition to praising fifth-year veteran Jarek Crick, Kubiak also said that the team expectsa lot of Adam Gotsis, who is less than ten months away from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. It's an annual position that becomes even more demanding during training camp and the season. The two went on to lead theteam in tackles lastseason. Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. preseason), 438 total wins, 13 head coaches, 983 players with at least one game appearance. 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. Professional athletic trainers are required to be certified so that they can diagnose injuries and determine treatment plans for injuries. 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. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? If they are working in an NFL medical facility it can be even more. 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. During his 45-year career with the Broncos, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. 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.. 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. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. 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. 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. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. Ill always be a Bronco.. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. I work for a great organization that cares about people. 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. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. In announcing the retirement of the man everyone called Greek, the Broncos said he treated 980 different players in the regular season and 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. You have the passion to do it. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. 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. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. 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. 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). Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. I love the challenges that are presented each day. 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. His career is still going as the team's director of sports medicine. "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. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. There is no verbal banter of windy platitudes to stoke quixotic fantasies of either management or players. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. They see their players physical and emotional fragility. The weather was awful. Is the job worth the derision? Ryan OHalloran covered the Broncos for The Post from 2018-22 and has covered the NFL since 2004. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. 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. Now hes walking away for good as hes going to retire where he grew up on the eastern plains. I have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. 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. It was dreary. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. 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. 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 . Their grandparents often move better in that instant. Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Register now! Steve (Greek) Antonopulos was the first one. Steve Antonopulos, a.k.a. 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. 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. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. 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. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. Here are those results. Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERto getcant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered righttoyour inbox. The Denver Broncos hired Steve Antonopulos as their assistant trainer in 1976. 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. All three are full training camp participants. In 2005, Greek said: The initial treatment wasicing, compression, and elevation (ICE). John Elways pro football career had bookends of torn up body parts. 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. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. I always thought that might zing me one day.. There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. 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. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. 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? It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Athletic training is also one of the first NFL staff positions to be held by women. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 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.