Tag: Steve “Greek” Antonopulos

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“GREEK” ANTONOPULOS HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE

Article reposted from Denver Broncos
Author: Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have promoted long-time head athletic trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos to director of sports medicine and assistant athletic trainer Vince Garcia to head athletic trainer, Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway announced on Wednesday.

In his new role, Antonopulos will oversee all aspects of the Broncos’ sports medicine program, including athletic training and player rehabilitation. Garcia will serve as the lead athletic trainer for players and assume all day-to-day head athletic training responsibilities. 

STATEMENT FROM JOHN ELWAY

“Greek’s been a cornerstone of the Denver Broncos for more than four decades, and we’re excited to have him move up a level to become our director of sports medicine. In talking with Greek, he indicated that he was ready to make this transition and turn the head athletic training position over to the very qualified and well-respected Vince Garcia.

“There’s nothing more important than the health of our players, and Vince is prepared for the important responsibilities as our lead athletic trainer. We’re in good hands with Greek overseeing our sports medicine program and Vince becoming our head athletic trainer.”

STATEMENT FROM STEVE “GREEK” ANTONOPULOS

“I’m very excited to begin the next chapter in my athletic training career in this new role. I’ve taken so much pride in serving as the Broncos’ head athletic trainer for 37 seasons, and while it’s difficult to pass on those responsibilities, I know this is the right move for my family and me.

“I could not think of a better fit than Vince Garcia to become the Denver Broncos’ head athletic trainer. He cares about our players and always puts their well-being first.

“I’ve been living a dream for the last 41 years while I’ve worked for the Denver Broncos. It’s an honor to work for Mr. Bowlen and Joe Ellis, and I couldn’t have a better boss than John Elway. I’m grateful for this new opportunity and am really looking forward to working with Vince, our players and coaches, and the rest of our very talented medical staff.”

BACKGROUND ON ANTONOPULOS

Antonopulos, who enters his 42nd season with the Broncos in 2017, began his career with Denver as an assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and worked his way up to becoming the club’s director of rehabilitation in 1979. His 41 years as a Broncos athletic trainer are believed to be the most in NFL history with a single team and include 37 seasons (1980-2016) as the team’s head athletic trainer.

Antonopulos has worked nearly 900 Broncos games in his more than four decades with the team. During that time, he has been part of 27 winning seasons, 22 playoff berths, 15 AFC West titles, 10 AFC Championship Games, eight Super Bowls and three World Championships.

In 2011, Antonopulos was named the Fain-Cain Memorial Award recipient, an award that is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL as well as exemplary performance. He has received numerous other honors throughout his career, including 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).

BACKGROUND ON GARCIA

Garcia, who is in his seventh year with the team, spent five seasons (2010-13, ’16) as assistant athletic trainer for the Broncos after serving as an athletic training intern in 2008.

He also has experience working as head athletic trainer for South Metro Fire Rescue in Centennial, Colo., from 2014-15 and head football athletic trainer for the University of Northern Colorado in 2009.

In addition to receiving his athletic training certification from the National Athletic Trainers Association, Garcia is certified as a blood flow restriction rehabilitation specialist. He is treasurer of the Colorado Athletic Trainers Association along with his membership in the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers Association.

Garcia received his bachelor’s degree in sport and exercises science from Northern Colorado and earned his master’s degree in sports medicine from Oregon State University.

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Gary Kubiak praises athletic trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos

Article reposted from Mile High Sports
Author: Michael Jaycox

If you’ve been following the Denver Broncos for an extended period of time, then the name “Greek” means a lot more to you than just another language you likely don’t understand. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, I’ll explain:

Steve “Greek” Antonopulos is the Denver Broncos head athletic trainer, and he has been for the last four decades. From Elway to Griese to Plummer, Cutler and Manning, “Greek” has been giving everything he has to this franchise for longer than any player on this roster has been alive.

In fact, he’s been a part of the Denver Broncos longer than anyone, including Pat Bowlen and John Elway.

Earlier this month, as “Greek” entered his 40th season with the franchise, the team gifted him this painting, created by artist Gabe Richesson.

Talk to any former Bronco, and they’ll all speak fondly of “Greek,” including former quarterback and current head coach Gary Kubiak, who spoke up on the long-time trainer on Friday.

Kubiak on meeting “Greek” as a rookie

“I remember walking through that blue barn off 58th avenue. He had hair when I walked in. ‘Greek’ is a great friend. I have great respect for him as a professional, but he’s a great friend, too. He’s an amazing guy.”

Kubiak on if their relationship has changed over the years

“It really hasn’t. We’ve always been very close. We spend a lot of time together every day now. I confide in him a great deal on how I handle the football team and how they’re doing physically. Whether to do this with them on this day or push them on this day. He has a great pulse for the football team and the locker room. They players respect him a great deal.”

Kubiak on confiding in “Greek”

“That’s the place everybody lays around and talks ball and shop. ‘Greek’ probably hears a lot of things he doesn’t want to hear, but that’s kind of part of what he does. He understands our players and understands our team as well as anybody.”

Kubiak on “Greek” being inducted into the University of Northern Colorado Hall of Fame

“Isn’t that something? I’ll tell you what, ‘Greek’s’ wall is full. That’s pretty cool. ‘Greek’ is a special person in this organization and a special person in pro football with how long he’s been doing it. He’s like a father to a lot of people around here, guys that have played for him or came through here. We’re all very proud of him. That is pretty neat.”

Kubiak on how “Greek” has been preparing the team this week

“‘Greek’ and those guys are on them and pumping them as much as they can. I can’t sit here and tell you that I know exactly what they do, but I know that they obviously have a plan in place all the time with how they go about the night before. We play late, too, so we have a couple plans in place to get them up early in the morning and do some things, too. That’s always part of the equation.”
Read more at http://milehighsports.com/words-gary-kubiak-praises-athletic-trainer-steve-greek-antonopulos/#hF70oazcSxTXPmYo.99

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Steve “Greek” Antonopulos honored for four decades with the Broncos

Article reposted from DenverBroncos.com
Author: Aric DiLalla

Long before he became head athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos, Steve “Greek” Antonopulos sat with his dad in Eastern Colorado and watched the team on TV.

“Somehow, some way, someday, I’d like to work for the Denver Broncos,” Antonopulos told himself in 1960.

Nearly 60 years later, the Broncos players, coaches and front office members honored “Greek” for 40 years of service to the organization.

Head Coach Gary Kubiak went through his normal list of announcements to the team before turning to a presentation he said he was “flattered” to give. Kubiak went on to speak of the consistency that makes the Broncos great before he ran through a list of Antonopulos’ accolades.

From his perch at the top of the room, a surprised Antonopulos watched a video tribute to his years in Denver. He soaked in the moment as he stood between EVP/GM John Elway and President and CEO Joe Ellis. The three men have racked up a combined 84 years of service to the organization.

“I never thought I’d be here this long,” Antonopulos said afterward. “I think after my fifth year, we changed owners and I had no idea whether I’d be around here or not. I thought you worked for the same people all the time and we’ve had three owners since I’ve been here. Obviously I’ve been so blessed to be with [Owner] Mr. [Pat] Bowlen. I love him so much and all the things that he stands for. Just wow. I don’t know what to say, I’m so shook up.”

Elway, Kubiak, Keith Bishop, Wade Phillips and Joe DeCamillis were just a few of the familiar faces in the video who heaped praise on Antonopulos and his dedication to the Broncos.

“He’s the best in the business,” DeCamillis said in the video.

Kubiak then called Colorado’s longest-tenured employee in sports to the front of the room as the players yelled out his nickname. Antonopulos, whose voice clearly reflected his surprise and shock, didn’t take long to turn an event about him into a message for the team. He told the players to take advantage of the opportunity before them and to relish the chance.

“[These were] the greatest years of my life,” Antonopulos said. “It doesn’t get any better than this. [There was] not one day when I did not want to come to work.”

Kubiak presented Antonopulos with a painting that celebrated his career, and then, as quickly as the presentation began, it was over and “back to work” for the Broncos.

That’s how “Greek” wants it, Kubiak said.

As the players filed out of the team room to head to another set of meetings, that’s when the best example of Antonopulos’ impact on the organization was on display.

In a three-minute stretch, he faced a stream of hugs and fist bumps as everyone from Kubiak toC.J. Anderson stopped to congratulate him.

“It was unexpected,” Antonopulos said, “and it was just really cool, and I love this place.

“I always have, always will.”