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. 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. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. The Broncos accurate confidence about Gotsis recovery greatly depended on the assessment and follow-through bythe mancalled Greek at the clubs UCHealth Training Center. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. It was phenomenal. Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. 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. Championships are made on practice fields; championships are also made in training rooms and rehab gyms. Alex Anthopoulos Net Worth 2022, Salary, Age, Height, Family - Apumone Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos to serve as Pat Bowlen's HOF presenter Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. And he played the whole game. Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. I love the energy required to survive in this game. Greek has four assistants and many intern athletic trainers. Pat Bowlen's family has chosen Steve "Greek" Antonopulos to serve as the owner's presenter at the Hall of Fame . We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. He is the only individual to be part of all eight Broncos Super Bowl runs. He leaves big shoes to fill at the organization. There is no verbal banter of windy platitudes to stoke quixotic fantasies of either management or players. Example video title will go here for this video. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. Not a member? It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. 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.. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. What a run. In the days of the Orange Crush defense, Greek earned a customized can: . 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. * A guy we think can get better and better. 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. Your login session has expired. preseason), 438 total wins, 13 head coaches, 983 players with at least one game appearance. I always thought that might zing me one day.. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 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. 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. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. 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. I have never had a day that I dreaded coming to work. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. Their bones, cartilage, and ligaments bear theburden of these familial expectations. Be the first one to comment on this story. That poor guy. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. An interesting couple days and we had a great time.. It's an annual position that becomes even more demanding during training camp and the season. They required him to go there for a physical. What a run. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. View Steve Antonopulos's business profile as Head AT at Denver Broncos. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. 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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. The award is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL, as well as exemplary performance. You have the passion to do it. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. I love being around young people who keep me young. For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go. In 2005, Greek said: The initial treatment wasicing, compression, and elevation (ICE). 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. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. Even before taking his first snap with the Broncos, he tore his left knees ACL in high school. Denver Broncos Long-Time Athletic Trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos Here's a look. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. Please check your email for a confirmation. He closed the door and he went nuts again. > Top stories curated daily just for you! Broncos' sports medicine director retiring after 45 seasons - AP NEWS Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. Denver Broncos laud retiring trainer Steve Antonopulos, 72, 'a fixture The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. Repeated selections of injured players shows the teams confidence in Greeks abilityto assess and treat injured players. Steve (Greek) Antonopulos was the first one. Broncos trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45 seasons with Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos: Through The Years - Denver Broncos He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. 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.. 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. #NGWSD. The Drive was so special. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. I love the relationships I have developed over the years. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. Paul Klee: Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos to present Broncos owner Pat Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. By 1987 he received the NFL/Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) award for Training Staff of the Year. Yet behind closed doors they respond to the ordinary, commonplace maladies of bruises, lacerations, soft tissue tears, and broken bones. My wife deserves this and we need to move on,' Antonopulos told Ryan OHalloran of the Denver Post. Allen called me the first week of July. Professional football players endure incessant chronic pain in the playing days and beyond. 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. 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. 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. 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. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. Antonopulos, who called Bowlen the ultimate owner, was selected by the Bowlen family in 2019 to present Pat at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. In 2017, Antonopulos was promoted to the teams director of sports medicine, where he oversaw all aspects of the clubs training and rehabilitation process. 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. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. "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. Gambling problem? He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors seven times for his work. Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. Antonopulos, who called Bowlen the ultimate owner, was selected by the Bowlen family in 2019 to present Pat at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. 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. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. but it can also be stressful. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. 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 . He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis. 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. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. 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. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. Anthopoulos successful career has earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy cars. No one cared more about the players than Greek. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. His physical was first thing in the morning. Broncos' long time trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires Celebrating 40 years of service On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to . Since he started setting up the training room, the Broncos have been to the playoffs 22 times. ", Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 30, 2016. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. 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. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. 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 went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. Ill see you in the morning. And that morning, we went in and he looked at me, and we just lost it. 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. I love the challenges that are presented each day. Odds & lines subject to change. He had a fear of flying. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. There were 983 players who played at least one regular-season game for the Broncos in his tenure. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt 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. Broncos' Athletic Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? Will they play well again? I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. The very best of medical practitioners effortlesslyblend sincere empathy and proficient treatment with their patients. The next, crippled. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. 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. Steve Greek Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. 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. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. A native of North Dakota and graduate of Kansas State, OHalloran previously covered the Washington Redskins for eight years, primarily at The Washington Times, and the Jacksonville Jaguars for six years at The Florida Times-Union. 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. 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. At the moment, Im just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I cant wait to get up there. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Denver Broncos: Vic Fangio's funny take on Steve Antonopulos retiring When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. It was dreary. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. 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.