Stephon Gilmore was an integral member of the New England Patriots’ last championship, sealing the team’s win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII with a fourth-quarter interception. That play marked one of many highlights in a 13-year NFL career that has now found its end.
As he announced on Thursday, Gilmore is stepping away from the game.
Besides his video, Gilmore also released a statement on his retirement:
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.
GillyLock Out.
Gilmore, 35, originally entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick by the Bills in 2012 out of South Carolina. Already a very good player during his five years in Buffalo, he took his game to a new level after joining the Patriots on a five-year, $65 million free agency contract in 2017.
Over his four seasons in New England, Gilmore appeared in 56 regular season games and seven playoff contests, registering a combined 13 interceptions — including the aforementioned pick against the Rams — and establishing himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. He was voted first-team All-Pro twice as a Patriot, named to three Pro Bowls, and in 2019 honored as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Even though his stint in Foxborough was relatively short and ended in a trade to Carolina in October 2021, he still left his mark on the Patriots. As a consequence, he was named to the organization’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s.
After leaving New England, Gilmore had one-year stints in Carolina, Indianapolis, Dallas and Minneapolis. He last appeared in an NFL game in January 2025.
