By Annie Moore–
Deion Branch, Chris Redman, and Johnny Unitas. Add one name to the list of legends who are honored at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil was honored in the first half other Louisville 41-17 win over Syracuse with his name and number emblazoned on the upper deck alongside 19 other former Cardinal greats.
“It’s an honor,” Dumervil said. “Great company, tremendous players, so to be a part of that is truly amazing.”
The outside linebacker was a force to be reckoned with during his college days at Louisville and has gone on to have a successful NFL Career, currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens. Dumervil still owns two records at UofL. He is the program’s sack leader with 20.5 sacks in the 2005 season. In the Kentucky game that same season, Dumervil racked up six sacks, still the school record for sacks in a game.
Dumervil played under head coach Bobby Petrino during his first stint at Louisville. Petrino spoke about Dumervil before he was honored, and touted that record-setting season as one of the best he’s seen.
“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.”
Dumervil was honored after Louisville’s first touchdown in the Syracuse game, and brought out on the field to thunderous applause. Cheers rang out in one of the loudest moments of the afternoon.
Elsewhere during the day, Dumervil could be seen shaking hands, taking pictures and chatting with reporters and staff members like old friends. This truly was a homecoming for the former Card, and he noted during his remarks that he has adopted the Cardinal forever mentality.
“It’s good to come home and be a part of this,” Dumervil said. “When you go away and then you come back, you really realize how special these things are. I’m a Cardinal for life.”
Dumervil came in town on the Ravens’ bye week. He noted that the rigors of an NFL schedule don’t allow for much reflection. In his 11 years in the league, #58 apparently hasn’t had much time to look back on his days in the Ville. The honor during the Syracuse game was his first time reminiscing on what he called ‘a blessing’.
“It still feels surreal,” Dumervil said. “As a player, you just kind of take that approach to keep grinding and don’t really reflect or think about what you accomplish. You try to stay young in that mindset. It was kind of the first time in my whole career to reflect on things. I thought it was good. It was a blessing. You see how much work — it pays off. It was cool. It was really neat.”
According to Dumervil, Louisville fans still support him and often reach out via social media, especially Twitter. Cardinal faithful can now see Dumervil playing on Sundays, where he has racked up 92.5 career sacks over eleven seasons.
