steve antonopulos salary

The Moving can be an exciting experience. Steve Antonopulos Head Athletic Trainer at Denver Broncos Parker, Colorado, United States 7 connections Join to connect Denver Broncos University of Northern Colorado Report this profile. Learn how your comment data is processed. He is the teams 12th man. We just really hit it off and it was an opportunity that I had always dreamed about.. Antonopulos, 72, whom most everyone with the team and in the league knows simply as "Greek," has been with the Broncos since 1976. Antonopulos treated 983 players who appeared in at least one regular season/playoff game for the Broncos. I use the time to work out and do administrative tasks. I love the challenges that are presented each day. ThenBroncos head team physician, Ted Schlegel M.D., said when presenting the award: Greek is nothing short of a consummate professional. He has the respect of the players that he has cared for over the years, and that is the reason many of them will call to ask his advice even after they have left the organization. During his time as a trainer, the Denver Broncos posted a 438-311-1 record. Antonopulos was the longest-tenured employee at the franchise. Their grandparents often move better in that instant. His first chance came in the summer of 1969 when trainer Allen Hurst offered him an internship. Ill always be a Bronco.. 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. 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. I love the energy required to survive in this game. He was obviously an astute trainer, but also an arrive-early, leave-late, stay-in-his-lane employee. Before the 2020 season, Steve told John Elway that the 2020-2021 season would be his final one as an athletic trainer. How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? I was making good money on the highway and going to college. The weather was awful. Athletic trainers have one of the more important jobs on a professional sports team, especially in the NFL. I love the relationships I have developed over the years. 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. During his 45-year career with the Broncos, Steve Antonopulos treated more than 1,500 players. preseason), 438 total wins, 13 head coaches, 983 players with at least one game appearance. Greek in his own words,as told to the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers: The worst part of the job is seeing players devastated by being injured. (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. He earned the head trainer position in 1979. Connor McGovern had a hamstring problem. Take a quick 30-second survey to help us deliver the best content around NFL & College Football. 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.. The Drive was so special. 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 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. During the season, Antonopulos would often arrive at the facility around 4 a.m. and stay as late as required. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. 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. He served as the head football trainer at his alma mater in 2009 before becoming one of Greeks assistant trainers from 2010-13. Five hours later, he was driving me 80 miles an hour down I-25 so I could get to the basketball game that night. I always thought that might zing me one day.. 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. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. 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). During his tenure, Antonopulos picked up the following accolades: NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, The National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award and the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award. The one other was (running back) Rob Lytle back in the day. From there, we went to Cheers bar and ran into some Denver people and had a couple cold ones. Their athletic body movements express their identity. More Videos 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. The doctor that gave him the physical was Arthur Pappas, one of the Red Sox owners, and he took us over to Fenway Park and I still have the picture of John and myself at home plate. Former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who arrived to the Broncos as a rookie quarterback in 1983 and spent well over two decades with the franchise himself, has joked that Antonopulos was with the Broncos before the orange and blue in the uniforms. 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 . Since it happened in 1978,reconstructive techniques were not available for Elway. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. They required him to go there for a physical. I always thought that might zing me one day.. Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. 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. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. By Tim Lynch @TimLynch1978 Jun 7, 2021, 8:50am MDT Share this story. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. He is the only individual to be part of all eight Broncos Super Bowl runs. If you do not acknowledge the unique importance of Greek, then you chronically underestimate the Broncos. He worked under three owners and 10 head coaches and was a part of 22 playoff teams and three Super Bowl champions. I never worked a day in my life because I loved what I was doing so much and the organization was so classy. 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. Running back could be a sneaky priority need for the Denver Broncos. One moment they move with extraordinary grace, quickness, and power. A fellow trainer at Fort Hays was Jim Gillen, who later became the head athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. He treated 983 players who've appeared in at least one playoff and regular-season game for the Denver Broncos. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! 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. In all those years, I never tried to figure out how many hours I worked.. Over that time, Antonopulos worked all eight Super Bowls that the Broncos have appeared in. With the Broncos, Greek transitioned to specialize in rehabilitation and was promoted to head trainer in 1980. 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. The Drive was so special. I just think Pat trusted Greek more than any other employee he ever had working for him, Ellis said. In addition to praising fifth-year veteran Jarek Crick, Kubiak also said that the team expectsa lot of Adam Gotsis, who is less than ten months away from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. The longest-tenured employee in Denver Broncos history is hanging them up. The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot reach a long-term deal before March 7's deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources. From Left to Right: Dustin Little, Josh Hartman, Steve Antonopulos, Michael Sundeen, and Billy-Joe Voltaire. I am an early person, and I learned years ago I need some time by myself before anyone gets here. 2023 NFL Scouting Combine results: Defensive linemen and linebackers. And these team doctors, for licensed medical doctors they are, can earn in the range of $200,000 and $512,500 per year. Will they play well again? 'Defend My Desk' How did Antonopulos survive so many regime changes? "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. Antonopulos graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. I woke him up. San Diego: Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos glances at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the locker during the post-game celebration. Bowlen was football first, business second'. "No one cared more about the players than Greek. 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. Antonopulos joined the Broncos as assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and retired in 2021 as the teams director of sports medicine. April 12, 2017 at 10:38 a.m. Broncos Athletic Trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. The 2023 NFL Combine is underway. 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. He worked 941 total games, during which Denver went 438-311-1 in the regular season/playoffs. Elway mentioned Greeks help in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2004. 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. 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.. Antonopulos is the only Broncos employee who has been to all eight Super Bowls. The team announced the long-time athletic trainer's retirement on Monday. We went a day early and went to see the Celtics play the Bulls. 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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. When the Broncos open training camp next month, Antonopulos wont be on the sidelines for the first time since 1975. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. It was dreary. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.. View Steve Antonopulos's record in Limon, CO including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Rainy. 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. Repeated selections of injured players shows the teams confidence in Greeks abilityto assess and treat injured players. The Denver Post caught up with Steve Antonopulos, and during the interview, Antonopulos explained his reasoning behind his retirement. 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. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. 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. 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. Greek was the recipient of the2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award at the NFL Physicians Society Scientific Annual Meeting. The weather was awful. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. #NGWSD. 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 is their livelihood, and it hurts to see them be injured and not be able to perform. Or does the salary serve as a salve to those wounds? Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Its just a cool place., Oh boy, a couple of those. Ill have to say, back in the day, we always felt we were on the cusp of the concussion stuff. 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. After the 1980 season, he was elevated to head trainer and split his old salary in half to hire two assistants. The Broncos had never been to the playoffs and had just two winning seasons before Antonopulos arrived. At the moment, Im just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and I cant wait to get up there. 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. 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. Greek watched over the knee helping to make it stronger than most, according to Matt Christopher in his book In the Huddlewith John Elway. Toward the end Elways ripped bicep. For me I want to be back early August, September, ready to go 100 percent, full go. He had the fingernail on his thumb totally torn off and was bleeding all over the place. Even before taking his first snap with the Broncos, he tore his left knees ACL in high school. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. In Antonopulos second season, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It didnt matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookiehis standard never changed. 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.. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years. Interior linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan had uncertain futures going into the 2015 season. Like Antonopulos, Garcia got his bachelors degree from Northern Colorado. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Antonopulos has been an athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos for a total of 941 games. Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis told Ryan OHalloran of The Denver Post, Broncos free agent profile: Dalton Risner, Broncos give behind-the-scenes look at the NFL combine. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. Not a member? I told him that, and he said. Genuine compassiondoes not stokepipe dreams but conveys the everyday dignity owed to any man, especially for the players attempting to secure a livelihood for their families to leap from ongoing poverty to sustained prosperity. Listen, I really appreciate you calling me. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. A Hugo, Colorado, native, Antonopulos began his career with the Broncos as an assistant trainer in 1976. Greek does sustained hard work with players that benefits in indirect ways. 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 . Yet behind closed doors they respond to the ordinary, commonplace maladies of bruises, lacerations, soft tissue tears, and broken bones. I love being around young people who keep me young. Five hours later, John went through everything you could imagine and he ended up vomiting all over the place. Greeks retirement is effective immediately. Steve Antonopulos has been the head trainer for the Broncos ever since. Rather respecting them in their most important roles as sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands. 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. Athletic trainers are witnesses to the magic and myth of extraordinary athletic feats. In my mind -- like I told him the other day -- I don't think he's retired. Steve Antonopulos will go down as one of the best athletic trainers in the history of the NFL. Is the job worth the derision? 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. Discussing his knee rehabilitation, Gotsis at the time said. Denver Broncos trainer Steve Greek Antonopulos has retired after 45 years with the franchise, the team announced Monday. Jun 07, 2021 at 08:45 AM. Tonight, we celebrated head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. A good trainers room is filled with the mundane, bathed in the light of here-and-now reality. He told me after the fact he was going to take a half-hour (for the interview) and be on his way, Antonopulos said. Less than a decade after winning the Super Bowl MVP he had left knee replacement surgery. The Broncos will name their training room after Antonopulos. We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. When I committed to come back for this past season, I told John (Elway), This is it. Broncos president Joe Ellis saidthis to Daniel Petty of the Denver Post about the announcement of owner Pat Bowlens retirement due to Alzheimers in 2014: The night before, I thought of people who were so close to him in the organization and needed to know before the announcement came out the next day. We had to put him on injured reserve because he couldnt travel. Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Marshall had several screws to hold together a foot while Travathan had major reconstruction surgery on his knee cap. It was embarrassing, the whole concept. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. And he played the whole game. Adhesive bandages, electrodes, ice bags, and kinesiology tape. Steve Antonopulos, a.k.a. Instead of cutting the tackle, Denver traded him and gaineda future fifth-round draft pick. 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. 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. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen. My wife deserves this and we need to move on, Antonopulos said in a phone interview Sunday with The Denver Post. He was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. The fans are incredible and it was the first of the modern stadiums in the old days. Steve Antonopulos announced his retirement on Monday. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. If they are working in an NFL medical facility it can be even more. We always worked with Craig Hospital and the concussion experts and developed our protocols, which are similar to some that are used today. 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. What a run. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a phone interview. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Broncos' Athletic Trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos is retiring after 45 seasons with the team. Greek goes to bed early because he gets here about 4 in the morning or 4:30 in the morning. So I called him. He had a fear of flying. Antonopulos became head trainer in 1979 making him what is believed to be the longest-tenured trainer in NFL history. 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.

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