Elvis Dumervil To Have Jersey Honored Saturday at Syracuse Game

Mark BlankenbakerNovember 4, 2015

Former University of Louisville football standout defensive end and current Baltimore Ravens’ outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil is having his jersey honored at Saturday’s home game against Syracuse that starts at 12:30 p.m.

Dumervil, who played for the Cardinals from 2002-05, spent four seasons as a defensive end and led the team in sacks in 2004-05 and was named the school’s first winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award for being the top defensive player in the country.

A native of Miami, Fla., Dumervil had one of the most dominating seasons in school history in 2005 in leading the Cardinals in their first season in the BIG EAST Conference and an appearance in the Gator Bowl. That year, he set numerous NCAA records and school marks, including a Division I record with 10 forced fumbles. He also compiled 20.0 sacks, with an NCAA-best six against Kentucky.

Dumervil, who is joining 19 other Cardinal greats distinguished in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, was a first-team all-BIG EAST honoree in 2005 in addition to securing league defensive player of the year honors and the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. He also was a finalist for the Lombardi Award.

A product of Miami Jackson High, Dumveril concluded his career with 32.0 sacks, which stands second all-time in school history and 42.5 tackles for loss, which sits third all-time. He finished with 151 career tackles and 11 forced fumbles during his stellar career under the direction of John L. Smith (2002) and current head coach Bobby Petrino.

“Elvis could really rush the passer,” Petrino said. “He is one of my all-time favorite players because he played with such high energy and always had a big smile on his face. His 2005 season was one of the greatest seasons I’ve ever witnessed in coaching, and he is so deserving of this tremendous honor.”

Following his collegiate career, Dumervil was taken in the NFL Draft’s fourth round with the 126th pick by the Denver Broncos.

Competing in his 10th season in the professional ranks, Dumervil is a four-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2011-12 and 2014) and a two-time Associated Press All-Pro selection (2009 and 2014). The 2014 season with the Ravens was one of his best, establishing a Ravens’ franchise-record with a career-high tying 17 sacks, which was third in the NFL. He also totaled 17 sacks with Denver in 2009 when he was named a starter in the Pro Bowl and tallied seven multiple-sack games. While in Denver, he earned the Darren Williams Good Guy Award from the state’s media.

In becoming the 20th honored jersey, Dumervil joins former Cardinal quarterback Johnny Unitas, whose No. 16 jersey is the only retired number at the University and unavailable for future Cardinals to wear.