My wife deserves this and we need to move on,' Antonopulos told Ryan OHalloran of the Denver Post. Marshall had several screws to hold together a foot while Travathan had major reconstruction surgery on his knee cap. The Drive was so special. "A great, great guy, as well as a great ambassador.". Example video title will go here for this video. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Steve Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. However, Anthopoulos served as an advance scout for the Greek National Baseball Team for the . A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. By Tim Lynch @TimLynch1978 Jun 7, 2021, 8:50am MDT Share this story. 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. 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. They required him to go there for a physical. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Be the first one to comment on this story. Bowlen was football first, business second'. 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. 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. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. 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 our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! There are team physicians, such as head team physician Martin Boublik of Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver. 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.. 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. 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. Repeated selections of injured players shows the teams confidence in Greeks abilityto assess and treat injured players. Will they play well again? Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. 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. Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. pic.twitter.com/N8K1CSmUdg, Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) August 4, 2016. 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. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. 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. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. Six of Pat Bowlen's children and presenter Steve Antonopulos at the longtime Broncos owner's inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. During his time as a trainer, the Denver Broncos posted a 438-311-1 record. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. We were taxing to take off and he just went nuts and jumped out of his seat and was screaming and the pilot pulled up, opened the door and let him get a breath. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. At the moment it is week-by-week. 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. Included in the Broncos' draft room is trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who is working his 41st NFL Draft. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. I love being around young people who keep me young. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. He had a fear of flying. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. A look at Steve "Greek" Antonopulos' 41 years as the Broncos' head athletic trainer. 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. 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. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. Pat Bowlen's family has chosen Steve "Greek" Antonopulos to serve as the owner's presenter at the Hall of Fame . 1. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. 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. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to celebrate 40 years of service by Greek. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. 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, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. 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. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. | . I love caring for people. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. Rainy. They required him to go there for a physical. 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. Smith runs second-fastest 40 by DL since 03, Saleh compares Carr to Stafford pre-Rams trade, Allen to be ready to roll for offseason program, How to maximize leverage of No. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. That poor guy. 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 . We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. Vince Garcia. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. That way, we are either working with them or doing administrative work. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. 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. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. The award is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL, as well as exemplary performance. Greek also saidthat Elway was one of the best players at injury recovery. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. Is hard reset only way to salvage Jets QB dilemma? No one cared more about the players than Greek. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. 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. 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 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. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. His salary is around $10 million and his main source of income is from his career as a business executive. Please logout and login again. The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. * A guy we think can get better and better. I told him that, and he said. I work for a great organization that cares about people. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. He has the respect of the players that he has cared for over the years, and that is the reason many of them will call to ask his advice even after they have left the organization. They see their players physical and emotional fragility. 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When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. Broncos president Joe Ellis saidthis to Daniel Petty of the Denver Post about the announcement of owner Pat Bowlens retirement due to Alzheimers in 2014: The night before, I thought of people who were so close to him in the organization and needed to know before the announcement came out the next day. 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. 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. Not a member? He earned the head trainer position in 1979. Could they look to sign a veteran? He held the post until 2016, after which he transitioned into his role as director of sports medicine for four years. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. (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. Trainer Antonopulos, a Broncos' 'fixture,' retires, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results: Defensive linemen and linebackers. You have the passion to do 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. Tedious repetitions of arm pulls and leg lifts. Toward the end Elways ripped bicep. Greek has four assistants and many intern athletic trainers. I love the challenges that are presented each day. 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. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors seven times for his work. ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. And these team doctors, for licensed medical doctors they are, can earn in the range of $200,000 and $512,500 per year. 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. The Drive was so special. He served as the head football trainer at his alma mater in 2009 before becoming one of Greeks assistant trainers from 2010-13. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! 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. 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. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. Coach Gary Kubiaks unflappable reaction to the season-ending knee injury of starting defensive end Vance Walker on Tuesday was based on his confidence of the Denver Broncos reserve depth at the position. Please logout and login again. 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. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. Here are those results. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. 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. Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. Steve Antonopulos assists injured QB John Elway at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday Jan.12, 1992. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. 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. Scissors, tape remover, whirlpools, ultrasound gel, and treatment tables. In 2005, Greek said: The initial treatment wasicing, compression, and elevation (ICE). Allen called me the first week of July. 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 . We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. Please check your email for a confirmation. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. I love the energy required to survive in this game. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. 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 researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. It was dreary. 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? I was making good money on the highway and going to college. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. The 2023 NFL Combine is underway. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. Anthopoulos successful career has earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy cars. The two went on to lead theteam in tackles lastseason. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. The livelihood of their families depend on the high body performance. He closed the door and he went nuts again. Denver Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos, who recently retired this offseason, was the longest tenured athletic trainer in the NFL. No one cared more about the players than Greek. Their bones, cartilage, and ligaments bear theburden of these familial expectations. 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. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? You must be logged in to leave a comment. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.". His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. Greek received both Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, and began his athletic trainer career at Fort Hays State University in Kansas in 1973, working there until 1976. The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. Allen called me the first week of July. 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. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. 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. "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. Please check your email for a confirmation. 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. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. Steve (Greek) Antonopulos was the first one. Championships are made on practice fields; championships are also made in training rooms and rehab gyms. 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, a.k.a. 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. 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. 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. Antonopulos started with the Broncos as an assistant athletic trainer in 1976, became the team's director of rehabilitation in 1979 and was hired as Denver's head athletic trainer in 1980. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. A typical day for me starts at 4 a.m. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. I have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. Horse Tracks: Should the Broncos spend big money on a free agent running back. For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go. 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. 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/uwM5i7YAAm. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. During his 45-year career with the Broncos, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. I always thought that might zing me one day.. 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.