He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. Denver Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos, who recently retired this offseason, was the longest tenured athletic trainer in the NFL. The weather was awful. "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. 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. 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). 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. I dont have an exact set deadline on when Im coming back. With the Broncos, Greek transitioned to specialize in rehabilitation and was promoted to head trainer in 1980. Could they look to sign a veteran? I was making good money on the highway and going to college. Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. It was dreary. Fangio also added that "I have hard time believing that Greek is really retired. June 9, 2021 6:00 am MT. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and retired in 2021 as the teams director of sports medicine. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. General manager John Elway toldDenver Posts Nicki Jhabvala: Elway on Gotsis: "A guy we think has a really high *ceiling. Ill always be a Bronco.. Greek has four assistants and many intern athletic trainers. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. We had a few of those guys, but he was to the hilt. Anthopoulos successful career has earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy cars. That poor guy. For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. (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. 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. In all he was on the sideline for 941 games (preseason, regular season and postseason) and worked for 13 different head coaches. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. 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. Even before taking his first snap with the Broncos, he tore his left knees ACL in high school. 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. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. In honor of his impact & dedication these last 45 years, were naming the training room after Steve Greek Antonopulos. The Drive was so special. At the moment it is week-by-week. Be the first one to comment on this story. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Is hard reset only way to salvage Jets QB dilemma? The livelihood of their families depend on the high body performance. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. 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 assists injured QB John Elway at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday Jan.12, 1992. During his time as a trainer, the Denver Broncos posted a 438-311-1 record. And these team doctors, for licensed medical doctors they are, can earn in the range of $200,000 and $512,500 per year. 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. Bowlen was football first, business second'. Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. The Moving can be an exciting experience. 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. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. 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. 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. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. 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. Allen called me the first week of July. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. It is still early in the process. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. Found this classic can in hubs stuff. 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. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. 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). So I called him. 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. Athletic trainers often work more than 12 hours a day and are required to travel with the team for away games and/or training camp. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. 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.. Broncos' Athletic Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. 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 Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. 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. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. 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 with Jim Gillen talk being head athletic trainers https://t.co/nTFo5XtbrK, R. David Mullin (@RD_Mullin) August 17, 2016. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. 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 is also fully practicing. Be the first one to comment on this story. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. 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. Greek goes to bed early because he gets here about 4 in the morning or 4:30 in the morning. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. He was to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. 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. Their bones, cartilage, and ligaments bear theburden of these familial expectations. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. He arrived most days at 4:30 a.m. and was often the last to leave team headquarters at night. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, whose size has been a matter of conjecture in the run-up to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, officially measured in at 5-foot-10 1/8 and 204 pounds on Saturday. 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. 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. If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. Broncos long time trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos retires, Horse Tracks: Potential Broncos Cap Casualties in 2023, 3 players the Broncos should consider cutting to make more cap room for the 2023 free agent class. The first groups have completed their weigh-ins, measurements, and drills. We thought it would be (quick). Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. pic.twitter.com/6YiWPEJddX, David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 8, 2016. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. Applauding him as "an institution with the Broncos for the last 45 years," Denver bid farewell Monday to director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos, who retired at 72 years old. Denver Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who has served 45 years in the Broncos organization and was a part of the franchise's three Super Bowl victories, is retiring. An MRI told us the stub from the bicep was not in the joint. Or does the salary serve as a salve to those wounds? He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. I use the time to work out and do administrative tasks. 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. He held the post until 2016, after which he transitioned into his role as director of sports medicine for four years. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. They required him to go there for a physical. I work for a great organization that cares about people. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. Not only did the club pick up Gotsis in the draft, but the Broncos chose running back Devontae Booker, who recently had two surgical procedures on a torn meniscus. There is no verbal banter of windy platitudes to stoke quixotic fantasies of either management or players. A typical day for me starts at 4 a.m. No other NFL trainer has treated a teams general manager, head coach, offensive coordinator and current roster of players. 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. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. 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 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. Ill see you in the morning. And that morning, we went in and he looked at me, and we just lost it. Past and current players including Peyton Manning and Von Miller . 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. The award is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL, as well as exemplary performance. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. 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. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. He is one of the richest baseball managers in Canada. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. 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.