Broncos’ long time trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos retires

Steve “Greek” Antonopulos, head trainer for the Denver Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 45 years with the team. His career with the team began in 1976 and spanned all eight of the team’s Super Bowl appearances, 10 general managers, and three and a half team owners.

Antonopulos, 72, was a constant factor in the Broncos’ long run of success over the last 4+ decades treating and working with every single player Denver employed over those years.

“Probably the most loyal employee the team has had and will ever have,” Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis told Ryan O’Halloran of The Denver Post. “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.”

For me, I’ll always remember Antonopulos for the clips he dominated from Super Bowl 32 when Terrell Davis went down with a migraine in the second quarter. Greek was there to give head coach Mike Shanahan continual updates as he worked to treat TD’s migraine. Greek’s success there was evident as TD would go on to dominate the second half and lead Denver to its first Super Bowl championship.

What is your favorite memory of the Broncos long-time head trainer?

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT & CEO JOE ELLIS

“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. 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.

“No one cared more about the players than Greek. It didn’t matter if they were a Hall of Famer or an undrafted rookie—his standard never changed. 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.

“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. With unmatched dedication and loyalty to the Broncos, Greek became a trusted confidant for so many coaches, staff members and especially Pat Bowlen.

“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.

“We congratulate Greek and thank him for a truly remarkable, special run with the Denver Broncos. Our organization wishes him the very best in his retirement. We sincerely thank his wife Susan and the entire Antonopulos family for sharing Greek with us for so many years.”