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Longtime cornerback Stephon Gilmore has announced his retirement after 13 NFL seasons.
In a message on Instagram, the 35-year-old Gilmore thanked the game of football, his family and the fans he played in front of for 189 regular season and playoff games.
“To my first love, Football —
As a young, scrappy kid from Rock Hill South Carolina with humble beginnings, the eldest of 6 - you gave me focus, opportunity, strength, and friends to last a lifetime. From my first game with Finley Road Falcons to two Super Bowls, multiple Pro Bowls, and a Defensive Player of the Year Award, you taught me the invaluable lesson of working hard and believing in myself.
To my wife and kids, thank you for making it possible for me to chase my dreams. To my parents, thank you for raising me to be the man I am today. To my coaches, thank you for pouring into me.
And to the fans—thank you for your support. I have had an incredible 13 years in the League, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds.”
The Buffalo Bills selected Gilmore out of South Carolina with the 10th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. He would be a regular on defense and earn the first of his five trips to the Pro Bowl in 2016, which would be his final season with the team.
In March 2017, Gilmore signed a five-year deal with the New England Patriots where he would take his game to another level. During his time playing under head coach Bill Belichick, Gilmore made four consecutive Pro Bowls, was a two-time First-team All-Pro was voted 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl LIII over the Los Angeles Rams.
During that Patriots' title run, Gilmore made two interceptions, including one late in the Super Bowl on a Jared Goff pass with New England up 10-3.
Gilmore was dealt from New England to the Carolina Panthers in Oct. 2021. Even after only playing eight games, recording 16 tackles and making two interceptions, he earned another Pro Bowl nod.
After one season with the Panthers, Gilmore signed a two-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts the following offseason and finished his career playing for the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.
Gilmore ends his career with 180 regular-season games played, 32 interceptions, 617 total tackles and 2 INTs returned for touchdowns.
