Legendary Broncos Trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos Retires

Steve Antonopulos, known as “Greek,” has retired from his position as athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos after 45 years with the team.

The team announced the long-time athletic trainer’s retirement on Monday.

Antonopulos, 72, has worked with the Broncos for nearly 50 years, making his the longest career with one team in NFL history.

The legendary Greek-American athletic trainer is also the only person who was with the Broncos during all eight of their games at the Super Bowl.

Players remember Antonopulos for his kindness and warm demeanor. According to many former players, “Greek” was not only their athletic trainer — always available when they had any issue or concern regarding their health or fitness — but also a friend.

“Greek is special.”

We could go on & on about Steve “Greek” Antonopulos’ impact, but just listen to the players he’s worked with over the years and you’ll see: pic.twitter.com/jxuGIU9cwq

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 7, 2021

Steve “Greek” Antonopulos is “what the Denver Broncos are all about”

“Steve Antonopulos is what the Denver Broncos are all about,” John Elway, former Broncos quarterback and current president of football operations for the team, stated on Monday.

“In 45 years and the amount of players that he’s helped and cured and got healthy and counseled — including me in all those instances — for 45 years, he has been the Broncos,” Elway expressed.

Joe Ellis, the CEO and President of the Broncos, reflected on Antonopulos’ long career with the team, stating:

“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.”

“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.

“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,” Ellis said.

Athletic trainer’s long career with the Broncos

After dreaming of working for the Denver Broncos since he was a child, Antonopulos was hired as the team’s assistant athletic trainer in 1976.

Just two years later in 1979, Antonopulos took on the role of director of physical rehabilitation, and became the team’s head athletic trainer in 1980.

He remained in that role until 2016, when he began working as the director of sports medicine for the Broncos.

Antonopulos has been heralded throughout his career for his skill and dedication to the team. In 2011, “Greek” was the recipient of the Fain-Cain Memorial Award, which is given to outstanding athletic trainers at the NFL.

The legendary athletic trainer was also awarded the NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award in 1987, the National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award in 1996, and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2006.

For 45 years, athletic trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos has been the epitome of what the Denver Broncos are all about.

Greek, there aren’t words to describe the impact you’ve had on our organization, and we wish you nothing but the very best in retirement!#ThankYouGreek 🧡 pic.twitter.com/HAKN6t7S7P

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 7, 2021