Stephon Gilmore has announced his immediate retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons. The cornerback made the announcement on his Instagram account.
A Career Spanning Six Teams
Gilmore, aged 35, played for six teams during his NFL career. These included the Buffalo Bills (2012-16), New England Patriots (2017-20), Carolina Panthers (2021), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Dallas Cowboys (2023) and Minnesota Vikings (2024). Gilmore retires after 180 NFL games.
Super Bowl Success and Accolades
Gilmore’s career highlights include winning a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2018. He also made five Pro Bowls. According to The Sporting News and the Pro Football Writers Association, Gilmore was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
- Super Bowl champion (2018)
- Five Pro Bowl selections
- Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
Gilmore’s Career Statistics
Gilmore retires with 32 interceptions for 496 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded 617 tackles (521 solo), nine tackles for a loss, and one sack. In 2019, Gilmore led the NFL in interceptions with six.
He finished in the top 10 in the league in passes defended four times. Gilmore retires with the 12th-most (149) in a career since 1999, when the stat became official.
Tributes and Gratitude
Former NFL tight end Benjamin Watson responded to Gilmore’s post, saying, “You made Rock Hill proud. Congratulations lil bro. I’m honoured 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”
Gilmore also expressed gratitude in his Instagram post. “To my wife and kids, thank you for making it possible for me to chase my dreams,” Gilmore wrote. “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.”
A South Carolina native, Gilmore played college football for 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.
In his first season with the Patriots, Gilmore broke up a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship game, sending New England to its second straight Super Bowl.
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.
Gilmore wrote on Instagram that he cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds.