Elvis Dumervil, the former star pass rusher who for years defined the position for the Broncos, has announced his retirement from the NFL.
"After spending a great deal of time talking to my family and prayerfully considering what's next in my career, I have made the difficult decision to step away from the NFL at this time," Dumervil wrote in a statement he posted on Twitter. "It's been an incredible 12-year run."
That 12-year run began in Denver after the Broncos selected Dumervil, a defensive star at Louisville, in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 126th-overall pick. Over the next seven seasons, Dumervil racked up 63.5 sacks, including a league-leading 17 in 2009. And he did all that while missing the entire 2010 with a torn pectoral muscle. Dumervil still ranks eighth in franchise history in sacks and is second in most sacks in a single season, with the aforementioned 17. He also is one of six Broncos to record four sacks in a single game, a franchise record. With 20 multi-sack games in Denver, Dumervil is tied with Ring of Famer Simon Fletcher for most career multi-sack games.
For those accomplishments, Dumervil earned numerous accolades during his time in Denver. In 2009, Dumervil was a First-Team All-Pro, the NFL Alumni Pass Rusher of the Year and earned his first Pro Bowl nod. He added two more Pro Bowls with Denver before continuing his career with the Ravens from 2013-16 and the 49ers in 2017.
"To my Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens teammates, ownership, coaches, front office personnel and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes at these first class organizations, you will always have a special place in my heart," Dumervil wrote. "I thank you for your support, friendship and passion."
Dumervil's impact is still felt at UCHealth Training Center today, as his teachings have been embraced by Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller, who joined the Broncos in 2011. The tandem was one of the league's best, and Dumervil's leadership helped shape Miller for years to come as he became a bonafide superstar.
