Russell Wilson's salary cap and dead money totals for the next six seasons. 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. 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. 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. I always thought that might zing me one day.. 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. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. 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 one of six female athletic trainers in the @NFL, Allison Miner is living her dream. The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. pic.twitter.com/uwM5i7YAAm. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. 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, 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. Professional athletic trainers are required to be certified so that they can diagnose injuries and determine treatment plans for injuries. You have the passion to do it. I love being around young people who keep me young. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. I love my job. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. 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. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. Since the former Fort Hays head athletic trainer launched his NFL career, a lot has changed in the sport and in the world of athletic training, but Antonopulos' career had such remarkable longevity because he constantly worked to keep up with updating practices and help shape the evolving field. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. 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. The award is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL, as well as exemplary performance. They required him to go there for a physical. 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. Vince Garcia, Denvers head athletic trainer, will presumably be a strong candidate to replace Greek. It's an annual position that becomes even more demanding during training camp and the season. 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. 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.. Although not given the recognition they so often deserve, NFL athletic trainers are some of the most important support staff members in any organization. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Gambling problem? 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. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. Smith runs second-fastest 40 by DL since 03, Saleh compares Carr to Stafford pre-Rams trade, Allen to be ready to roll for offseason program, How to maximize leverage of No. Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. 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. 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. Register now! I love caring for people. Scissors, tape remover, whirlpools, ultrasound gel, and treatment tables. That poor guy. 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. Aftersigning his $24.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears during the offseason,the NFL tweeted this about Trevathan: Knee injury.Knee injury.Knee injury.Big contract? There is no verbal banter of windy platitudes to stoke quixotic fantasies of either management or players. 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. 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. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. 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. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. The two went on to lead theteam in tackles lastseason. Here are his assistants at Super Bowl 50 in February: Congrats to @broncos and the athletic training staff. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. Allen called me the first week of July. Allen called me the first week of July. 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. And he played the whole game. Greek also saidthat Elway was one of the best players at injury recovery. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. Vince Garcia. 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. For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. View Steve Antonopulos's business profile as Head AT at Denver Broncos. 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. 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. 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. Of . General manager John Elway toldDenver Posts Nicki Jhabvala: Elway on Gotsis: "A guy we think has a really high *ceiling. In fact over his NFL career Elway ran for3,407 yards and 33 touchdowns. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos in a move CEO Joe Ellis called a no-brainer given his long run with the franchise. 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. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Get to know all 17 Denver mayor candidates , 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. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. I use the time to work out and do administrative tasks. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. Ill always be a Bronco.. ", Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 30, 2016. Head Athletic Trainer After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. 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. I told him that, and he said. I love the energy required to survive in this game. 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112. 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). 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. "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. The Denver Broncos hired Steve Antonopulos as their assistant trainer in 1976. I love the challenges that are presented each day. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. Professional football players endure incessant chronic pain in the playing days and beyond. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. 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. Their grandparents often move better in that instant. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke with media members on Friday for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication in late January. After becoming head athletic trainer for the South Metro Fire Rescue in Centennial from 2014-15, Garcia rejoined the Broncos training staff as Antonopulos top assistant in 2016. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. He closed the door and he went nuts again. pic.twitter.com/VZ4LHDGcb7, Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) April 30, 2016. 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. I work for a great organization that cares about people. 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 announcing the retirement of the man everyone called Greek, the Broncos said he treated 980 different players in the regular season and playoffs.