According to the organization, Antonopulos' 45-year tenure is. Sleeting. Then in 1996 he received National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Athletic Trainer Service Award, and in 2006 Greek was given the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. As one of six female athletic trainers in the @NFL, Allison Miner is living her dream. 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. 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. A look at Steve "Greek" Antonopulos' 41 years as the Broncos' head athletic trainer. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. 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. 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. Pat Bowlen's family has chosen Steve "Greek" Antonopulos to serve as the owner's presenter at the Hall of Fame . (photos via Broncos photo archive, unless noted) 1 / 24. I always thought that might zing me one day.. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. 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. Do NFL teams have team nurses? How much do the medical - AS USA 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. 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. Paul Klee: Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos to present Broncos owner Pat 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. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. Past and current players including Peyton Manning and Von Miller . The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. There are a hundred athletic trainers currently employed in the NFL and the average salary for those trainers is about $75,000, a figure that can rise to $100,000 depending on experience. "It didn't matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie -- his standard never changed. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. Broncos' sports medicine director retiring after 45 seasons - AP NEWS Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. And he played the whole game. Athletic training is also one of the first NFL staff positions to be held by women. 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. I told him that, and he said. 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. The Drive was so special. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. We certainly wouldnt have gone to Cheers had we known it would take that long. The next, crippled. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Antonopulos called the honor breathtaking.. 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. 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. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. Greek has four assistants and many intern athletic trainers. I love the challenges that are presented each day. 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. They required him to go there for a physical. 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.. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. preseason), 438 total wins, 13 head coaches, 983 players with at least one game appearance. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? He got $26.4 million without playing a down for the Colts last year 32 percent more than his first-year salary with the Broncos. Steve Antonopulos has accomplished a lot over the past 45 years. Odds & lines subject to change. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. 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. @Grindin_59 never saw this happening: https://t.co/62EHR6aweP pic.twitter.com/2ns3HQOWc3. Of course, Greek does not do this single-handedly. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. 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. They see players near impossible athletic feats, creating the illusion of invincibility. Please logout and login again. Although not given the recognition they so often deserve, NFL athletic trainers are some of the most important support staff members in any organization. The best thing is stay in your domain, stay at your desk and work your rear end off.. He was the team's head trainer for 37 seasons and spent the past four seasons as the director of sports medicine. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Please check your email for a confirmation. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke with media members on Friday for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication in late January. In the days of the Orange Crush defense, Greek earned a customized can: . Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis had this to say about Antonopulos during a phone interview with the Denver Post. He researched the previous seasons hamstring injury sustained by running back Otis Armstrong and put together a treatment/rehabilitation plan to present to Hurst. Gotsis had yet to be treated by the man crucial to his draft selection and his successful knee rehabilitation, head athletic trainerSteve Antonopulos. He held the post until 2016, after which he transitioned into his role as director of sports medicine for four years. 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. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. I love the energy required to survive in this game. I have always respected the fact that Steve is the kind of person that will look you in the eye and tell you what he is thinking and commit to his word. And then Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has always been one of my favorites. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required. His career is still going as the team's director of sports medicine. 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. "Greek" is in his 41st year with the #Broncos! Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos.
