Denver Broncos Head Athletic Trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos has been honored as the 2011 Fain-Cain Memorial Award recipient.. The award is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL, as well as exemplary performance.
“‘Greek’ is nothing short of a consummate professional,” said Dr. Ted Schlegel, the Broncos’ head team physician who nominated and presented Antonopulos with the award during the annual NFL Physicians Society Scientific Meeting in Indianapolis last Friday. “He has the respect of the players that he has cared for over the years, and that is the reason many of them will call to ask his advice even after they have left the organization.
“I have always respected the fact that Steve is the kind of person that will look you in the eye and tell you what he is thinking and commit to his word. He embodies the principals of the Fain-Cain Award, and he continues to impact all of those who have been around him.”
Antonopulos, who is entering his 36th season with the Broncos, has been with the club since joining the team as an assistant athletic trainer in 1976. His tenure is the longest among Broncos employees and the second longest in NFL history among athletic trainers.
Antonopulos has previously served as President of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, and has received numerous awards throughout his career, including heading the 1987 NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year and being honored with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Athletic Trainer Service Award in 1996 and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2006.
Under Antonopulos’ watch, offensive lineman Ryan Clady rehabbed from an offseason knee injury to start all 16 games for the Broncos in 2010 and received the Broncos’ Ed Block Courage Award.
“I would like to thank ‘Greek’ and the rest of the training staff for getting me where I am now,” said Clady upon his return to the practice field in August.
The Fain-Cain Memorial Award, which is presented by the National Football League Physicians Society, is named for Dr. Thomas E. Cain and Dr. Robert H. Fain, who were longtime team physicians for the Houston Oilers. The award was established shortly after Dr. Cain’s death and Dr. Fain’s retirement in 1998. Antonopulos is the first Bronco to receive this prestigious honor.
-Stuart Zaas, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Greek, Steve Antonopulos
Yea man im worried about cox as well. Even if he comes back, I guess he can do KR with Vaughn so we can rest Eddie for stuff like that. Peterson can also contribute to the run game but he is expected to be an instant impact player.
Its funny. when i heard AJ green was a top wr this years draft i was shocked. I remember watch perrish cox highlights after last years draft…alot of clips of perrish owning AJ green lol
When was Scheffler a great receivng TE. he was good but never great. Sharpe had great years, Tony G had great years. But Scheffler never had a great year. Witten had great years. But name me one season were Scheffler had a great year. Im not saying he was horrible, i actually liked the guy, but when did he have 80 catches in a season or 1000 yds receiving, or 15tds in a yr.
Here is a link to his stats. Show me where he had a great year.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7810/career;_ylt=AorhTcKDEUqFpCVYVKqgk0z.uLYF
It was obvious early in the season Graham was not the same, as far as pass catching and running routes. Most will remember how hard it was for him to get going in the open field….(Jaguar game).
He never looked the same as the season progressed.
Best wishes to Daniel Graham.
Elway announced via twitter offers have been made to- Prater, Woodyard, Harris, Vickerson and Thomas!
It’s in the new blog.
I’m glad the Broncos finally saw Daniel Grahmn for what he is and shipped him out. He was really there most over-paid player for the production they got (or did not get) from him.
HOWEVER, even though I’ve been blogging about this for the past few years as I have never been a Daniel Grahm fan. And felt he was over paid and under useful – I am however sad for the man to be fired. Good luck to you Daniel in your future endevores!
Now I really hope the broncos will get a GREAT replacement like a young Shannon Sharpe!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Knowshonforsure,
Dude calm down. I know his stats without having to look them up. The word great wasnt meant to be taken so litterally. Great was just the first word that came to mind. Not that serious. He was a young talented receiving TE. I think you missed the main focus of the message and decided to key in on one word. The point was that we have a (to use proper words here) “very capable” receiver because even calling him good is relative based on however the reader decides to take it. So we had a very capable young one, with potential who was traded an now we have to look for another recieving TE more than likely. Point is, if he wasnt traded, we probably wouldnt be looking for one. Its not that big a deal dude. TRB out…
Problem I can see is there are really now great TIGHT ENDS available via the draft or free agency???
Who do you see as the man to fill some shoes that have been needed to be filled since Sharpe left??? I would not even mind an older stud like a Tony Gonzales, but those players don’t grow on trees!
So where do we find a GOOD///or better yet a GREAT TIGHT END???
GO BRONCOS!!!
***Just to clear up my question – I meant to say “there are NO great Tight Ends available!!!***
I think we need a really great ball skills tight end!!! I am tired of the TE that we have had since Shannon Sharpes departure!!!