Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. At the moment it is week-by-week. Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis had this to say about Antonopulos during a phone interview with the Denver Post. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. "Greek" is in his 41st year with the #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. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. You have the passion to do it. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. 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. 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. Few peoplenoticed that Smyth also tweeted this on the first day of the NFL draft: https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2016/08/17/steve-greek-antonopulos-is-the-broncos-12th-man/, Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional, reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway, 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. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. At the moment, Im just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I cant wait to get up there. 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. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. 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. Greek has four assistants and many intern athletic trainers. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. June 9, 2021 6:00 am MT. 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. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Odds & lines subject to change. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If they are working in an NFL medical facility it can be even more. 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. Rather respecting them in their most important roles as sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands. 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. 1 draft pick, Report: Derek Carr wants $35 million per year, The Raiders are the betting favorites to land Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy: Kellen Moore wants to light the scoreboard up, I want to run the damn ball, Arrest warrant issued for Jalen Carter for reckless driving, racing, ESPN reiterates report that Lamar Jackson wants a fully-guaranteed deal, Aaron Rodgers says hell make a decision soon enough, Competition Committee begins to explore the quarterback push play, Players say Chiefs discourage them from reporting injuries, have NFLs worst training staff, Bryce Young is just over 5-10 and 204 pounds. I went and got a summer job on the state highway back home that summer and I was getting married. It is still early in the process. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? After Greeks retirement was announced, team president/CEO Joe Ellis released the following statement: 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. In addition to praising fifth-year veteran Jarek Crick, Kubiak also said that the team expectsa lot of Adam Gotsis, who is less than ten months away from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. Horse Tracks: Should the Broncos spend big money on a free agent running back. It was phenomenal. On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to celebrate 40 years of service by Greek. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. 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. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. 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. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a career that spanned 45 years with the Denver Broncos, director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos has retired. Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. Although not given the recognition they so often deserve, NFL athletic trainers are some of the most important support staff members in any organization. Found this classic can in hubs stuff. Register now! 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). From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. Steve Antonopulos gave the Denver Broncos 45 incredible years as their athletic trainer, having trained the likes of Peyton Manning and Shannon Sharpe, among others. The very best of medical practitioners effortlesslyblend sincere empathy and proficient treatment with their patients. All three are full training camp participants. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. Broncos to rename training room for Steve Antonopulos, honor him at a Broncos game. 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 sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. Steve (Greek) Antonopulos was the first one. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. Sleeting. It wasnt really an injury. 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. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. 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. 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. 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. ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. @Broncos celebrating head trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos tonight. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. 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. 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. 2 / 24. 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. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. His salary is around $10 million and his main source of income is from his career as a business executive.