Elvis Dumervil, who is of Haitian descent, appeared on ESPN this afternoon to talk about the devastation Haiti is facing after a 7.0 earthquake struck the country.

UPDATE: Dumervil has released a statement:

“I would like to thank everyone who has already offered their support to the victims of this tragedy. On a personal level, I must express my sincere gratitude for all of the love and support I have received. This is a difficult time for myself and my family, as we try to contact our family members in Haiti. Your thoughts and prayers are well received and greatly appreciated. I have personally witnessed the power and impact of the American people coming together in times of turmoil. I would like to encourage you all to do whatever you can to offer support to the people of Haiti. Wyclef Jean has put together The Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can visit the website www.yele.org to get more information and to donate, or you can text the word “YELE” to 501 501 to automatically donate five dollars. You can also visit The Second Chance Opportunity Center at www.secondchanceopp.org or The Stark County Out of Poverty Partnership Foundation at www.scopp.org to help the victims of this tragedy.”

A nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL came together to name the Associated Press 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and Elvis Dumervil tied for third. Packers cornerback Charles Woodson took home the award with 28 votes.

Dumervil led the league in sacks this season with 17, setting a new Broncos single-season record. His 11 sacks on third downs in 2009 tied for the most in a single season since at least 1991, and became the first Bronco to lead the league in sacks, and joined Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney as the only two players in history to win a sack title at the NCAA-FBS and NFL levels. He finished the 2009 campaign with 49 tackles, three passes defensed, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (14 votes) came in second for the award behind Woodson, and Saints safety Darren Sharper tied with Dumervil for third with three votes. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen received the final two votes.

Elvis Dumervil, fresh off a season in which he led the league and set a Broncos franchise record with 17 sacks, won the NFL Alumni’s award for pass rusher, as voted by former players.

Each former player voted for current players at the positions they once played themselves.

Dumervil finished the season with 49 tackles, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

He is joined on the defensive side of the ball by Minnesota’s Jared Allen, San Francisco’s Patrick Willis and Green Bay’s Charles Woodson. The offensive recipients of the alumni award were New Orleans’ Drew Brees, Tennessee’s Chris Johnson, Houston’s Andre Johnson, Indianapolis’ Dallas Clark and Minnesota’s Steve Hutchinson. On special teams, Cleveland’s Joshua Cribbs was the recipient, and New Orleans’ Sean Payton was the coaching award winner.

The 2009 awardees will be honored at the 28th Annual Player of the Year Awards Dinner on Feb. 5 in Hollywood, Fla. Each recipient will receive his NFL Alumni Player of the Year Award from a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.