Stephon Gilmore reveals post retirement plans after historic 13-year career
A steady presence in the secondary is stepping away for good. Stephon Gilmore officially announced his retirement Thursday, closing the book on a 13-year NFL career that consistently placed him among the league’s elite defenders. The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro built his reputation as a shutdown corner who could erase any receiver.
MORE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting former All-American His peak arrived in 2019, when he led the NFL with 20 passes defended and six interceptions. That season earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors along with Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition. Stephon Gilmore outlines Hall of Fame aspirations Former Former New England Patriots Stephon Gilmore taking a selfie on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Gilmore reflected on his career during a phone interview with ESPN’s Mike Reiss , touching on his time in New England and what he hopes defines his legacy moving forward. “I left it all out on the field. Hopefully, the red jacket, the gold jacket, that’s the goal.
My style of play, how I played — mostly a man corner, covered the best guy each and every week, not too many guys can do that week in and week out,” Gilmore said. The former first-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2012 developed into a reliable corner who kept improving. His breakthrough recognition arrived in his fifth and final Buffalo season, when he earned a Pro Bowl nod with 12 passes defensed and five interceptions.
That stretch ended before Buffalo’s rise, and when Sean McDermott arrived, the team moved on. Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J.