Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, a veteran of 13 NFL seasons, announced his immediate retirement in a post to his Instagram account April 2.
Gilmore, 35, played for six teams in his NFL career: the Buffalo Bills (2012-16), New England Patriots (2017-20), Carolina Panthers (2021), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Dallas Cowboys (2023) and Minnesota Vikings (2024).
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Gilmore won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2018, made five Pro Bowls, and was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 according to The Sporting News and the Pro Football Writers Association.
“I have had an incredible 13 years in the League, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds,” Gilmore wrote on Instagram.
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Gilmore retires with 32 interceptions for 496 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 617 tackles (521 solo), nine tackles for a loss, and one sack in 180 NFL games.
Gilmore led the NFL in interceptions in 2019, with six. He finished in the top 10 in the league in passes defended four times, and retires with the 12th-most (149) in a career since 1999, when the stat became official.
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“You made Rock Hill proud,” former NFL tight end Benjamin Watson wrote in response to Gilmore’s post. “Congratulations lil bro. I’m honored to have shared the locker room and field with you even for a season. The best is yet to come. May the Lord guide you and your family as you navigate this transition. Stay connected. Keep pressing on. Love you”
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A South Carolina native, Gilmore stayed in-state for college and picked off eight passes in three seasons with the Gamecocks. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 10th overall pick in 2012.
After five seasons in Buffalo, Gilmore signed a five-year, $65 million contract to join the New England Patriots, with $40 million guaranteed.
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In his first season with the Pats, Gilmore broke up a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship game to send New England to its second straight Super Bowl.
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In his only Super Bowl appearance against the Los Angeles Rams, Gilmore’s interception of Jared Goff was instrumental in the Patriots’ 13-3 victory.
“To my wife and kids, thank you for making it possible for me to chase my dreams,” Gilmore wrote on Instagram. “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.”
