Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. Steve Antonopulos reaches out to injured linebacker Nick Greisen in Englewood, Colo., on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. cant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right, Players given Kratom by Colorado coach, police say, Skier Shiffrin's quest for 86th win extended after downhill, 77 inches of snow fall at Colorado ski area in 9 days, 'Greek' Antonopulos: Presenting Bowlen for HOF has been emotional time, 'Greek' on man he will present to HOF: 'Mr. He had a fear of flying. Download the 9NEWS APPiTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunesGoogle Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. Gambling problem? Players are not treated as replaceable pieces of football productivity. Bowlen was football first, business second'. 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. I woke him up. 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. My philosophy was if you do your job and do a good job, theyll get to you. Antonopulos is the only Broncos employee who has been to all eight Super Bowls. 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. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. 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. Greeks success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship. 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.. During his 45-year career with the Broncos, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. Denver will rename the training room at UCHealth Training Center the Steve "Greek" Antonopulos Training Room and will recognize the trainer at a home game this season. 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. 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 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.. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. "Steve Antonopulos is what the Denver Broncos are all about," John Elway aptly summed up on the Broncos' website. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. 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 loved the job, loved the place and there would be only one position I would leave there for the Denver Broncos.. The 2023 NFL Combine is underway. 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. Tedious repetitions of arm pulls and leg lifts. That was a tremendous victory in Broncos history. 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. > Above video: Steve Antonopulos introduces Pat Bowlen at NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke with media members on Friday for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication in late January. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. Rainy. 41-yrs! It was embarrassing, the whole concept. The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. 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. In Antonopulos' second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. "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. Jiminy Christmas, Im humbled; what an awesome thing, he said. I work for a great organization that cares about people. Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. 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. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.". Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. 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. At the moment, Im just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I cant wait to get up there. I thought I would be (at Fort Hays) my whole career, Antonopulos said. 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. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. 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. Steve Antonopulos is retiring from the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. His physical was first thing in the morning. And he played the whole game. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. For me, Ill always remember Antonopulos for the clips he dominated from Super Bowl 32 when Terrell Davis went down with a migraine in the second quarter. "It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. Running back could be a sneaky priority need for the Denver Broncos. "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. The Drive was so special. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. "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," Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. 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. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! It was dreary. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. As one of six female athletic trainers in the @NFL, Allison Miner is living her dream. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. It is still early in the process. He took a year off from football, resuming play without an ACL for the remainder of his career. He served as President of PFATS from 2003 to 2008. Broncos head trainer Steve Antonopulos, who is in his 40th season with the team, was presented with a painting created by noted artist Gabe Richesson. Please check your email for a confirmation. It paid $25 a week plus room and board, he said with a laugh. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John [Elway], This is it. 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. 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.. Here's a list of accomplishments that Steve Antonopulos earned with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. The Broncos accurate confidence about Gotsis recovery greatly depended on the assessment and follow-through bythe mancalled Greek at the clubs UCHealth Training Center. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. Of . Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. 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. Elways competitive drive helped him work through the mental challenges of rehabilitation. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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 . The very best of medical practitioners effortlesslyblend sincere empathy and proficient treatment with their patients. We thought it would be (quick). 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. I always thought that might zing me one day.. I love the energy required to survive in this game. 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. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? 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. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? 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. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. 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. General manager John Elway toldDenver Posts Nicki Jhabvala: Elway on Gotsis: "A guy we think has a really high *ceiling. It was dreary. (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. Kentucky's Will Levis, a likely top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, spoke Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine and -- in under 15 minutes -- presented himself as arguably the most self-assured QB in this year's class. 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. 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. Professional football players endure incessant chronic pain in the playing days and beyond. 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.. 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. Awesome was Antonopulos longevity in the often-unstable world of the NFL. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. For 45 years, athletic trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has been the epitome of what the Denver Broncos are all about.Greek, there arent words to describe the impact youve had on our organization, and we wish you nothing but the very best in retirement!#ThankYouGreek pic.twitter.com/HAKN6t7S7P. By Tim Lynch @TimLynch1978 Jun 7, 2021, 8:50am MDT Share this story. There were 983 players who played at least one regular-season game for the Broncos in his tenure. Odds & lines subject to change. 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.. Here's a look. 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. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors seven times for his work. 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.
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