How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, James to join Ravens, files grievance vs. Broncos, Ranking the 25 biggest position upgrades of the NFL offseason, NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus which players benefited most from the draft, Covered Broncos for nine years for Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, Previously covered Steelers, Bills and Titans, Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame Board. I told him that, and he said. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. 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. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. 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. In the days of the Orange Crush defense, Greek earned a customized can: . Register now! Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results: Defensive linemen and linebackers. 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. 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. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. During his 45-year career with the Broncos, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. I was making good money on the highway and going to college. Antonopulos is the only Broncos employee who has been to all eight Super Bowls. Odds & lines subject to change. 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 the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. All three are full training camp participants. Broncos' Athletic Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and retired in 2021 as the teams director of sports medicine. But according to those who know him well, Greeks domain also contains a rare element in the Not For Long professional football league: an endless supply of unsentimental, deep compassion. Or does the salary serve as a salve to those wounds? 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. He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. 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. John Elways pro football career had bookends of torn up body parts. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The weather was awful. 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.. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. 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. Be the first one to comment on this story. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. Former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who arrived to the Broncos as a rookie . Forty-five years is a long time. 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. I love the challenges that are presented each day. The very best of medical practitioners effortlesslyblend sincere empathy and proficient treatment with their patients. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! If they are working in an NFL medical facility it can be even more. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. It was phenomenal. "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. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. Rainy. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. 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. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 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.. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. Bowlen was football first, business second'. Tedious repetitions of arm pulls and leg lifts. Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Please logout and login again. Although not given the recognition they so often deserve, NFL athletic trainers are some of the most important support staff members in any organization. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. At the moment it is week-by-week. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. 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. 41-yrs! * A guy we think can get better and better. Your login session has expired. There are no set work hours for an athletic trainer in the NFL. I love my job. 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. 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. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. A fellow trainer at Fort Hays was Jim Gillen, who later became the head athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 . He had a fear of flying. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Once I get up to Denver and visit with the team doctors, they can check out my knee and do all of that, and then we can go from there. Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency, The most memorable pre-NFL draft workouts ever: Coaches, scouts, execs make their picks, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Raiders tag Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing leader. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. 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. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. 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. 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. 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? "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," said team President and CEO Joe Ellis. Ill always be a Bronco.. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. View Steve Antonopulos's business profile as Head AT at Denver Broncos. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. 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. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. 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. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. 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. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. 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 money. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. 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. Athletic training is also one of the first NFL staff positions to be held by women. 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. 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. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. We thought it would be (quick). Ill always be a Bronco.. 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. Professional athletic trainers are required to be certified so that they can diagnose injuries and determine treatment plans for injuries. It's spanned 900. 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. 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. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. On April 28, moments after the selection of Gotsis, the Broncos draft headquarters was ecstatic, as tweeted by public relations vice president Patrick Smyth: Broncos GM John Elway, HC Gary Kubiak & DL coach Bill Kollar celebrate selection of DT Adam Gotsis in 2nd rd. 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. 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. A typical day for me starts at 4 a.m. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. I love being around young people who keep me young. Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERto getcant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered righttoyour inbox. 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). ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. Included in the Broncos' draft room is trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who is working his 41st NFL Draft. Their bones, cartilage, and ligaments bear theburden of these familial expectations. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. 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. And he played the whole game. The livelihood of their families depend on the high body performance. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. Yet behind closed doors they respond to the ordinary, commonplace maladies of bruises, lacerations, soft tissue tears, and broken bones. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. 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. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. 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. So I called him. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. Denver Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos, who recently retired this offseason, was the longest tenured athletic trainer in the NFL. 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.. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. 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. Antonopulos, 72, has worked with the Broncos for nearly 50 years, making his the longest career with one team in NFL history. 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. His career is still going as the team's director of sports medicine. He is the teams 12th man. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. Steve Antonopulos, a.k.a. Players are not treated as replaceable pieces of football productivity. 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. 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. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos with Jim Gillen talk being head athletic trainers https://t.co/nTFo5XtbrK, R. David Mullin (@RD_Mullin) August 17, 2016. Steve Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. Greek also saidthat Elway was one of the best players at injury recovery. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke with media members on Friday for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication in late January. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. He held the post until 2016, after which he transitioned into his role as director of sports medicine for four years. 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. 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 . He was to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. 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. During his time as a trainer, the Denver Broncos posted a 438-311-1 record. Celebrating 40 years of service On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to . 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. Broncos to rename training room for Steve Antonopulos, honor him at a Broncos game. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Denver's tale of the tape under Antonopulos: 941 total games (incl. ", Broncos coach Vic Fangio said following Monday's OTA practice: "45 years of service to one organization is unheard of in the NFL, and that speaks volumes to his competency and the value he brought to this organization over such a long period of time.". I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. At the moment, Im just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I cant wait to get up there. 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. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. They required him to go there for a physical. Were on the tarmac going to play San Diego. Athletic trainers are the first on the field when an NFL player is injured, and in the case of a serious injury, they have to use quick decision-making to treat the player immediately. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. 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. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He earned the head trainer position in 1979.
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