Longtime Broncos head trainer Steve ‘Greek’ Antonopulos promoted

After more than four decades with the Denver Broncos — 37 as the head athletic trainer — Steve Antonopulos is moving into a new role with the club.

The organization promoted Antonopulos — affectionately known as “Greek” to many players, fans, and staff — to a new role, director of sports medicine, which will oversee all aspects of the Broncos sports medicine program, the team announced Wednesday.

“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,” said John Elway, the team’s general manager and executive vice president, in a statement.

“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.”

Garcia moves from assistant athletic trainer into Antonopulos’ former position, assuming all the day-to-day head athletic training responsibilities.

Antonopulos started his career with Denver in 1976 as an assistant athletic trainer and would become the head athletic trainer in 1979. According to the club, his 41 years as the Broncos trainer are believed to be the most in NFL history with a single team.

In that time, Antonopulos served the Broncos in 900 games, 27 winning seasons, 22 playoff berths, 15 AFC West titles, 10 AFC Championship games, eight Super Bowls, and three titles.

In a statement released by the team, Antonopulous said it’ll be difficult to pass along the responsibilities that come with the head athletic trainer position, but it’s the “right move” for him and his family.

“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. (Pat) Bowlen and Joe Ellis, and I couldn’t have a better boss than John Elway,” Antonopulos said.

“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.”

Garcia has spent seven seasons with the Broncos, five as an assistant athletic trainer, and his previous experience includes being the head athletic trainer for South Metro Fire Rescue in Centennial from 2014-15 and the head football athletic trainer for the University of Northern Colorado in 2009.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.