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. If youre doing something you love, you dont watch the clock or think about it, he said. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 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.. I love the challenges that are presented each day. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. You have to understand he tore the long head of the bicep which is located in the shoulder joint. I always thought that might zing me one day.. 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. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. "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. 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. 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. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, Colo., 105 miles southeast of Mile High Stadium. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. It was dreary. 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. I work for a great organization that cares about people. Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. ", 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.". The players arrive for treatment at 6:30 a.m., and the player meetings start around 8:15 a.m. We have long-term rehabs while players are in meetings. 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You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Antonopulos spent 45 years with the Denver Broncos and was the athletic trainer to over 1,500 NFL players. By 1987 he received the NFL/Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) award for Training Staff of the Year. Allen called me the first week of July. Please logout and login again. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. Listen, I really appreciate you calling me. The Denver Broncos head trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired from the NFL after 45 years with the team. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. Rainy. His Bronco days started in 1976. 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. And he played the whole game. "No one cared more about the players than Greek," Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. 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. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 . Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. 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. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. After treating nearly 1,000 different players during the past 45 years, Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired as Broncos trainer. His physical was first thing in the morning. Of . Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. 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. Sleeting. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. It was pretty much a no-brainer when somebody puts in that amount of time, Ellis said. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. "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. 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. 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. Athletic training is also one of the first NFL staff positions to be held by women. The very best of medical practitioners effortlesslyblend sincere empathy and proficient treatment with their patients. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is believed to be the longest ever spent with a single NFL team. Athletic trainers have one of the more important jobs on a professional sports team, especially in the NFL. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. The weather was awful. 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. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. He was to make $61.8 million after two years with the Colts,. 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 Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. The Denver Broncos hired Steve Antonopulos as their assistant trainer in 1976. Denver's tale of the tape under Antonopulos: 941 total games (incl. Included in the Broncos' draft room is trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, who is working his 41st NFL Draft. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. "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 never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. 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. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. 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. 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. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. He was Bowlen's presenter when Bowlen was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. 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. 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. No one cared more about the players than Greek. 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. 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. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? The award is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL, as well as exemplary performance. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. 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. Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. Greek also saidthat Elway was one of the best players at injury recovery. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 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. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. 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. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. Please logout and login again. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. Tedious repetitions of arm pulls and leg lifts. Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. The Broncos accurate confidence about Gotsis recovery greatly depended on the assessment and follow-through bythe mancalled Greek at the clubs UCHealth Training Center. 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 2023 NFL Combine is underway. 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. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. Longtime head athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 years with the club, the team announced Monday. 2 / 24. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Tonight, we celebrated head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. 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. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. He is the only individual to be part of all eight Broncos Super Bowl runs. 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. 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. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. His 43 years with the Broncos is believed to be the longest tenure by an athletic trainer with one NFL team. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year Broncos career Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go. 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.. 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). Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. Ill see you in the morning. And that morning, we went in and he looked at me, and we just lost it. Register now! He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. Greek goes to bed early because he gets here about 4 in the morning or 4:30 in the morning. 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. 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. Gambling problem? The Broncos paid an ode to Antonopulos' hard work by naming their training room after him. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. All three are full training camp participants. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. | . What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? "We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. 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. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. We thought it would be (quick). Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. He served as the head football trainer at his alma mater in 2009 before becoming one of Greeks assistant trainers from 2010-13. I loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. That poor guy. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. 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. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. He is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer with one team in NFL history, and Greek is the. pic.twitter.com/MB6he9cRUp, Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 4, 2016. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. 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 . 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.