One of the best football players from the state of South Carolina, who was a superstar for three years in a Gamecock uniform, called it a career Thursday afternoon.
Stephon Gilmore announced his retirement from the NFL with a post on Instagram.
"To my first love, Football," he wrote before thanking the game, which gave him "focus, opportunity, strength, and friends to last a lifetime."
The two-time All-Pro cornerback created plenty of memories for those who watched him wear the uniforms at South Pointe High School and the University of South Carolina. A four-star recruit who should've had one more, Gilmore received plenty of recruiting interest as a prospect in the class of 2009. He chose the short ride down I-77 to Columbia and became a Gamecock.
His college career lived up to the hype. And so did the one that spanned 13 years in the league. He was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, a year after winning the Super Bowl.
"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," Gilmore wrote.
"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."
Buffalo selected Gilmore in the first-round of the 2012 draft. He stayed there for five seasons before four more in New England. After four seasons there, he returned to the Carolinas and played for the Panthers in 2021. Stops in Indianapolis (2022), Dallas (2023) and Minnesota (2024) rounded out his pro career. He did not play this past season.
Gilmore appeared in 180 games, 173 of which he started. He totaled 617 tackles, 32 interceptions and 149 pass breakups.