Rick Massie was a receiver from Kentucky. Denver Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. 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. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. Paul Klee: Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos to present Broncos owner Pat | . Antonopulos forged strong relationships with coaches and players alike and had a particularly close bond with late owner Pat Bowlen, who bought the Broncos in 1984. "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. 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. His Bronco days started in 1976. Odds & lines subject to change. View Steve Antonopulos's business profile as Head AT at Denver Broncos. 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. How much do athletic trainers make in the NFL? - Sportskeeda Denver Broncos laud retiring trainer Steve Antonopulos, 72, 'a fixture The Broncos will honor Antonopulos at a home game this season and the team will rename their training room after the longtime trainer. I was blessed to be a part of the elation of that. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. pic.twitter.com/QngbUDNhEI. Greek has four assistants and many intern athletic trainers. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Past and current players including Peyton Manning and Von Miller . During his 45-year career with the Broncos, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. 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. Steve Antonopulos, known as "Greek," has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team. I woke him up. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. Steve Antonopulos assists injured QB John Elway at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday Jan.12, 1992. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. 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. When I see a player incurring a major injury withering in pain on the field, I am seeing most the emotional agony and fear of uncertainty. He is also fully practicing. Steve Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. They required him to go there for a physical. Athletic training is also one of the first NFL staff positions to be held by women. It is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. Counting players on training camp roster, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Broncos trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos retires after 45 seasons with * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. Broncos trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45-year career Example video title will go here for this video. Counting players on training camp roster, Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. Ill always be a Bronco.. Broncos trainer Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires after 45 seasons with Denver Broncos | PFATS Since he started setting up the training room, the Broncos have been to the playoffs 22 times. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. Be the first one to comment on this story. What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer? ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Over the past 45 years, Steve "Greek" Antonopulos has been a welcoming presence in the Broncos' training rooms at the team's practice facilities, home and road stadiums and training camp locales none more so . Your login session has expired. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. Antonopulos called working for the Broncos a lifes dream., A lot of people say that, but it was the reality for me, he said. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. Running back could be a sneaky priority need for the Denver Broncos. The award is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL, as well as exemplary performance. I always thought that might zing me one day.. He closed the door and he went nuts again. 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. He embodies the principles of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him. 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. Celebrating 40 years of service On August 3, the Broncos organization came together to . 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. An MRI told us the stub from the bicep was not in the joint. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. 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. (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. 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. Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos retires as Denver Broncos' head trainer Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Broncos to rename training room for Steve Antonopulos - Denver Broncos In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. 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. His physical was first thing in the morning. 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. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. Denver Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos, who recently retired this offseason, was the longest tenured athletic trainer in the NFL. Hes been here north of 37 years, and every day, Mr. Bowlen started his day, by parking in the garage, coming up through the steps and stopping by Greeks office and chatting with him. Steve "Greek" Antonopulos, the Broncos' director of sports medicine, is entering his 44th season with the team. The livelihood of their families depend on the high body performance. Greek also saidthat Elway was one of the best players at injury recovery. (photos via Broncos photo archive, unless noted) 1 / 24.