The Broncos’ best pass rusher, Elvis Dumervil was born Jan. 19, 1984, and grew up in Liberty City, a rough section of Miami that became the center of some infamous drug wars in 1998. His father, Frank Gachelin, is retired military and his mom, Marie Dumervil, worked at a Marriott hotel. His parents separated when he was 3. Dumervil has 12 brothers and sisters. At Jackson High School in Miami, Dumervil had 18 sacks as a sophomore and 30 each as a junior and senior. He attended Louisville, where he led the nation with 20 sacks as a senior and set an NCAA record with 10 forced fumbles. The Broncos selected him in the fourth round, No. 126 overall, in the 2006 NFL draft.
Q: After your parents separated, who did you live with?
A: I lived with my mom until I got to middle school. It was about that time I got introduced to football, so then I started staying with my dad. My dad was my trainer. He did bodybuilding, so pretty much what I do now in the NFL I did then in high school with my brothers. There was a rivalry in our household. My brothers and I competed in everything – basketball, eating, running, who could drink the most water. Video games, everything was competition. Monopoly.
Q: Who could drink the most water? That’s funny. How many brothers are we talking about?
A: There were seven of us including me. We weren’t that far apart in age. I remember in high school, there were six of us playing, four on varsity, two of us on the sophomore team. Four of us played D-line. It was awesome.
Q: Your brothers could play, too.
A: Two brothers (James Dumervil and Louis Gachelin) got scholarships from Syracuse. And I had an older brother (Curry Burns) who got a scholarship to Louisville and I went with him. Curry got drafted by the Houston Texans and Louis got picked up by the New England Patriots. James is playing in the new All American Football League.
Q: What else did you guys do besides play football?
A: Worked out. Ran around the block. I had an interesting childhood, but my dad was big on working out. I used to wake up at 5:30 in the morning and we had to go run around the block. I’d work out, go to school. After school there was practice. After practice, work out. Come home, eat, play basketball. That got me off the streets. My dad kept me occupied.
Q: Your favorite meal?
A: I like Caribbean food. Rice, beans, healthy chicken. I eat red meat, but I grew up in a house where we ate healthy. Not too much fried food. We didn’t eat much soul food when I was young.
Q: Tell us about Mom.
A: My mom is a very spiritual person. She had been through so many things, sacrificed a lot to raise all those kids. Living in the ‘hood. It was real rough back then. But she always had us go to church. We went to church three times a week. I was brought up in the church. I was in the choir, stuff like that. I think that’s why – I know that’s why I am where I am now. Especially the things I’ve been able to do with my stature, all things would not be possible without the man upstairs.
Q: Speaking of stature, you’re breaking NFL molds. Are you surprised that despite all those sack numbers you put up at Louisville, you lasted until the fourth round of the draft because you’re 5-feet-11?
A: It’s always been like that. When I was in high school I had crazy numbers. I was supposed to go to Florida but something happened with that. Louisville wasn’t where they are now. So I always had to go through the backdoor. My dad always told me history repeats itself. In the NFL, I think it’s going to be the same way. You look at my history, I’ve always been productive. I’m not a big fan of the draft situation. I think they put too much consideration on things outside the white lines.
Q: You’ve earned the right to receive double teams now. But in your young career, is there a blocker out there who gives you fits?
A: I’ve been blessed with the ability to beat blockers. I’ve never had issue with that. My issue in my early years was I’d come in a little too excited and I couldn’t always get the quarterback down. So I learned how to come in with control. My main thing now is, when I was in college I was able to force fumbles. And I haven’t been able to carry that over quite yet, so that’s kind of frustrating for me. My main goal is when I get there, I’ve got to create turnovers. That’s what I’m working on now.
Q: What is it about the world outside football that irritates you?
A: Sometimes, you’ve got to step away and get a reality check. There’s a lot going on out there. I’ve been blessed, but every time I go home, some people where I’m from don’t even have a chance. It’s sad. You ride down the block of my old neighborhood and see the kids. It’s tough, man. I think people take things for granted. I’ve been blessed in many ways and I’m just thankful for what I have.
Q: What do you like to do outside football?
A: I’m a big movie buff. I don’t go out much. I’m not really interested in that, especially here. I watch movies or play the Xbox, John Madden games.
Q: I was just going to say, name three movies from your top 10 of all time.
A: “Wedding Crashers,” “Coming to America.” “Old School” was a hilarious movie. I like scary and comedy movies. “Hostel” and “Hostel II” I liked. What was the movie that came out this year with Nicole Kidman? “Invasion.” That was pretty good.
Q: Any career outside of football interest you?
A: I’m into real estate. I’ve got a lot of things going on now. My brothers are doing major things, my dad as well. I’m focusing on football and I can trust my brothers with my money and investments.
The Dumervil file
Height: 5-feet-11.
Weight: 260 pounds.
Born: Jan. 19, 1984, in Miami.
How acquired: Selected by the Broncos in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft.
Rookie year: Recorded 8.5 sacks in 2006, tied for the third-most by a Broncos rookie in club history and ranked as the third-highest total among NFL rookies for the year.
College: Started for two seasons at the University of Louisville, where he led the nation with 20 sacks in 2005.
High school: A three-year starter at Jackson High School in Miami, where he tallied a school-record 78 sacks during his prep career and was a two-time all-state selection.
Editor’s note: Throughout the season, Broncos reporter Mike Klis and photographer Cyrus McCrimmon will help readers get to know one of the team’s players on a deeper level. McCrimmon’s photographs will complement a weekly conversation with Klis about life, work and play.
