Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. 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. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. Gotsis had yet to be treated by the man crucial to his draft selection and his successful knee rehabilitation, head athletic trainerSteve Antonopulos. 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. And he played the whole game. For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. Rainy. Scissors, tape remover, whirlpools, ultrasound gel, and treatment tables. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. He closed the door and he went nuts again. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. 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.. Tonight, we celebrated head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. * A guy we think can get better and better. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). No one cared more about the players than Greek. What a run. 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. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. In the days of the Orange Crush defense, Greek earned a customized can: . 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. Celebrating 40 years of service On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to . They see their players physical and emotional fragility. preseason), 438 total wins, 13 head coaches, 983 players with at least one game appearance. He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. He had a fear of flying. There were 983 players who played at least one regular-season game for the Broncos in his tenure. "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. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. Gambling problem? Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. 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. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's cap hit might be rising in 2023, but owner Jerry Jones believes his quarterback has the ability to bridge the gap in any talent the roster might lose because of it. Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. In announcing the retirement of the man everyone called Greek, the Broncos said he treated 980 different players in the regular season and playoffs. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. 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. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. A fellow trainer at Fort Hays was Jim Gillen, who later became the head athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. Then in 1996 he received National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Athletic Trainer Service Award, and in 2006 Greek was given the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. 2 / 24. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis had this to say about Antonopulos during a phone interview with the Denver Post. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. He is also fully practicing. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Is hard reset only way to salvage Jets QB dilemma? Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. The Denver Broncos hired Steve Antonopulos as their assistant trainer in 1976. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. Greek in his own words,as told to the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers: The worst part of the job is seeing players devastated by being injured. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. 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.. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. The next, crippled. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and retired in 2021 as the teams director of sports medicine. In 2005, Greek said: The initial treatment wasicing, compression, and elevation (ICE). John Elways pro football career had bookends of torn up body parts. 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. 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. As one of six female athletic trainers in the @NFL, Allison Miner is living her dream. 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. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. The livelihood of their families depend on the high body performance. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. (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. However, Anthopoulos served as an advance scout for the Greek National Baseball Team for the . 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. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. "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. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. He was the team's head trainer for 37 seasons and spent the past four seasons as the director of sports medicine. He was Bowlen's presenter when Bowlen was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. 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. The Broncos accurate confidence about Gotsis recovery greatly depended on the assessment and follow-through bythe mancalled Greek at the clubs UCHealth Training Center. 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. 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. 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. Sleeting. I work for a great organization that cares about people. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. Greek was there to give head coach Mike Shanahan continual updates as he worked to treat TDs migraine. His motto was defend your desk. And the only way to defend your desk, Antonopulos would say, is to be at your desk. He closed the door and he went nuts again. 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. 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. In all he was on the sideline for 941 games (preseason, regular season and postseason) and worked for 13 different head coaches. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. 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. Denver will rename the training room at UCHealth Training Center the Steve "Greek" Antonopulos Training Room and will recognize the trainer at a home game this season. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos paid an ode to Antonopulos' hard work by naming their training room after him. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. Example video title will go here for this video. It's spanned 900. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. 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"No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. 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. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. He arrived most days at 4:30 a.m. and was often the last to leave team headquarters at night. 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. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Will they play well again? Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. It wasnt really an injury. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos with Jim Gillen talk being head athletic trainers https://t.co/nTFo5XtbrK, R. David Mullin (@RD_Mullin) August 17, 2016. 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. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. 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Your login session has expired. It was dreary. "It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. pic.twitter.com/uwM5i7YAAm. Former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who arrived to the Broncos as a rookie . Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. After treating nearly 1,000 different players during the past 45 years, Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired as Broncos trainer. Bowlen was football first, business second'. 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. 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? There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. 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. We allowed the soft tissues to heal and put him on a strengthening program and he played in about 10 days. Yet behind closed doors they respond to the ordinary, commonplace maladies of bruises, lacerations, soft tissue tears, and broken bones. 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. Steve Antonopulos is the only Denver Broncos employee that has been with the team through all eight Super Bowl appearances, which included three title victories. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. 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). Trainer Antonopulos, a Broncos' 'fixture,' retires, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? 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. His physical was first thing in the morning. Their bones, cartilage, and ligaments bear theburden of these familial expectations. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. Players are not treated as replaceable pieces of football productivity. View Steve Antonopulos's business profile as Head AT at Denver Broncos. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. He served as the head football trainer at his alma mater in 2009 before becoming one of Greeks assistant trainers from 2010-13. 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. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. Horse Tracks: Should the Broncos spend big money on a free agent running back. He earned the head trainer position in 1979. 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. He was to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. but it can also be stressful. 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. Odds & lines subject to change. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Since the former Fort Hays head athletic trainer launched his NFL career, a lot has changed in the sport and in the world of athletic training, but Antonopulos' career had such remarkable longevity because he constantly worked to keep up with updating practices and help shape the evolving field. 1. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. 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. Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERto getcant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered righttoyour inbox. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway.
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