Former Broncos Trainer to Be Honored at Pro Football Hall of Fame

The former Denver Broncos trainer NFL

Dec 2, 2007; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos trainer Steve Antonopulos examines injured running / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

For 45 memorable years, generations of Denver Broncos players, coaches, and team personnel trusted former team trainer and director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos for medical treatment and advice.

‘Greek,' as he’s affectionately known to Broncos Country, was a pillar of compassion and consistency for Denver’s franchise until he retired in 2021, having spent more than four decades with the team and was on the Broncos staff for all eight of the franchise’s Super Bowl appearances.

Last week, it was announced that Antonopulos would be honored as an Award of Excellence recipient by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Since 2022, the PFHOF has recognized individuals, including assistant coaches, athletic trainers, equipment staff, public relations personnel, and team videographers for their invaluable contributions to professional football.

"I'm so honored and humbled to even be mentioned in the same breath as some of the all-timers in the NFL. … It's the ultimate award in my mind,” Antonopulos revealed to the team’s website on Wednesday.

“I've never been an awards kind of guy, but after you retire, you realize you've been around a while, and I guess some things like this come along with it. I'm just so honored and humbled. I was so blessed to work for the Denver Broncos for 45 years, and we're such a great, great organization. [Late owner] Pat Bowlen, as you know, was a very close friend. I'm so honored to have my name in the same building as his bust. It's such an honor that I will never forget."

In addition to being one of the most respected minds in sports medicine and rehabilitation, ‘Greek’ is renowned for his exceptional ability to bond, mentor, and foster relationships with the players that he treated as a devoted professional for the Broncos.

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Throughout his career, Antonopulos has worked with more than ten Hall of Fame Players, including John Elway, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Champ Bailey, Peyton Manning, and recent inductee Randy Gradishar as well as the majority of Denver’s Ring of Famers.

After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado, Antonopulos served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Fort Hays State University for three seasons, before being hired by the Denver Broncos in 1976.

Little did ‘Greek’ know back then how much of an impact he would have on his home state.

"No, not at all," Antonopulos said when asked if he could have imagined this PFHOF award all those years ago.

"I was a young buck from Hugo, Colorado, and was just getting ready to start my dream job. I was just so blessed to be able to do that dream job for 45 years. Coming from Hugo, Colorado? I never even thought about the Hall of Fame."

This summer, ‘Greek’ will join the 11 former athletic trainers that have earned this Award of Excellence that has also previously celebrated former Broncos public relations VP Jim Saccomano and late former OL coach Alex Gibbs in 2022.

"To be considered with the all-timers is just incredible. … It is a tremendous honor to be chosen by your peers,” explained Antonopulos.

“It kind of validates what we do, and again, you don't do it for awards, but I guess it's nice to be recognized for this. I'm just so honored to represent the Denver Broncos."

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