

Living up to his given middle name, Elvis Kool Dumervil never demanded a trade. He often praised, never ripped, his head coach. He didn’t even miss offseason minicamps.



For his patience and professionalism, but mostly for his NFL-leading 17 sacks last season, Dumervil was rewarded Thursday by the Broncos with a five-year, $58.332 million contract extension.



“Money is not everything, and that’s the way I was brought up,” said Dumervil, who grew up in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami. “It’s nice when you get it, don’t get me wrong, but I was always taught that you get what you put into it. And as long as you conduct yourself as such, good things will happen for you.”



On top of the $3.168 million salary Dumervil was already going to make this season, his contract stretches to six years and $61.5 million.



He will receive an NFL-record $43.168 million of that money, guaranteed against injury, through the next four seasons, according to two NFL sources.



Considering the NFL could shut down in 2011 over a labor dispute, and considering Dumervil could have received the franchise tag as an unrestricted free agent in 2011-12, the Broncos came up big.



Call the Broncos painfully mediocre in recent seasons. Call them maddeningly poor finishers in recent seasons.



Just don’t call them cheap. It’s the biggest contract the Broncos and owner Pat Bowlen have paid since they signed cornerback Champ Bailey to a seven-year, $63 million deal prior to the 2004 season.



“I’m very thankful and very appreciative,” Dumervil said late Thursday night. “I’m appreciative of the fans for being supportive, the Broncos, coach (Josh) McDaniels, Pat Bowlen himself for stepping up and getting this done in a difficult situation of the unknown for next year.”



Retaining Dumervil for the long term was a much-needed statement delivered by the Broncos and McDaniels, who in the past two seasons have dealt away unhappy stars Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler.



While the total value of Dumervil’s deal falls short of those given to Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware, Chicago’s Julius Peppers and Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs, the guaranteed portion set a new record for the pass-rushing position.



Dumervil’s $43.168 million in guaranteed money surpasses that of Peppers ($42 million), Ware ($40 million) and Suggs ($38.1 million).



“He has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, and he’s an important part of the foundation we are building with this team,” Broncos general manager Brian Xanders said in a statement.



Dumervil, 26, was clearly the NCAA’s best pass rusher in his senior season of 2005 at Louisville when he posted 20 sacks and 10 forced fumbles. However, because he is undersized as a defensive end at 5-feet-11, 248 pounds, Dumervil wasn’t selected in the 2006 draft until the fourth round, No. 126 overall.



Now that Dumervil has received his new contract, don’t be surprised if his sack totals go down while his value soars. Dumervil figures to become a marked man by opposing offenses this season with teams making sure a second blocker — whether a tight end, pulling guard or running back — is on him.



As Dumervil draws double teams on passing downs, it will be imperative for other Broncos such as Robert Ayers to develop as rushers.



“It’s going to be tough but a lot of teams passed on me before the Broncos selected me with the 126th pick,” Dumervil said. “I’m wanting to show these other teams what they missed out on. I’m obsessed with that. I feel bitter about those decisions. Now I want to prove to other teams that the Broncos were right in wanting to reward me by extending me.



“I’m just getting started. I don’t play the game for money. It’s nice to know I don’t have to have to worry about taking care of my family, but I love the game. That alone, I expect to stay in double-digits in sacks.”

Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com