Former Panthers Pro Bowl CB announces retirement from NFL

A former Carolina Panthers cornerback has put a lock on his football career. Stephon Gilmore announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday. The 35-year-old Rock Hill, S.

C. native and University of South Carolina standout posted the following video to his Twitter/X account this afternoon: 🙏🏾 pic. twitter.

com/o2KI8rOHih — The Gilly Lock (@BumpNrunGilm0re) April 2, 2026 Gilmore was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 10th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. After spending his first five pro seasons there, he signed with the New England Patriots on a five-year, $65 million pact in the spring of 2017. The Panthers would acquire Gilmore from the Patriots in a midseason trade in 2021.

He'd go on to earn what was his fifth and final Pro Bowl selection despite appearing in just eight games for Carolina. His career would finish up with one-year stints for the Indianapolis Colts (2022), Dallas Cowboys (2023) and Minnesota Vikings (2024). Along with his five Pro Bowl nods, Gilmore retires as a Super Bowl LIII champion, the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time first-team All-Pro.