Stephon Stiles Gilmore (born September 19, 1990) is an American former professional football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, earning third-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors in 2010. Gilmore was selected 10th overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills, where he spent his first five seasons and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2016.
In 2017, Gilmore joined the New England Patriots and was named Defensive Player of the Year the following season after leading the league in interceptions. Gilmore also extended his Pro Bowl selections to four, received two first-team All-Pro selections, and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LIII. After four years in New England, Gilmore played one season for the Carolina Panthers, receiving a fifth Pro Bowl selection. He spent his last three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings for one year each. Gilmore is regarded as one of the greatest cornerbacks of his generation.
Early life Gilmore attended South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he played football and basketball, and ran track. In football, Gilmore was a two-way player as a quarterback and defensive back, and helped his team to a perfect 15–0 record and the SCHSL AAAA Division II title as a senior. Among his teammates were DeVonte Holloman and Jadeveon Clowney. Playing quarterback on offense, Gilmore rushed for 1,331 yards and 23 touchdowns and passed for 1,771 yards and 14 touchdowns. He earned first-team all-state honors by The State and was named an All-American by Parade and EA Sports. Gilmore was also named Mr. Football for the state of South Carolina.
In track & field, Gilmore competed as a sprinter during his junior year. He recorded a PR of 11.41 seconds in the 100 meters in the prelims of the Taco Bell Classic. At the York County Meet, Gilmore took fifth in the 200 meters, at 23.14 seconds, and placed ninth in the 400 meters, with a time of 54.94 seconds. He was also a member of the 4 × 100 m relay (43.10s) squad.
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Gilmore was listed as the No. 2 overall prospect from South Carolina in the class of 2009. He chose South Carolina over Alabama, Tennessee, and Clemson.
College career Gilmore graduated from South Pointe High School in December 2008 to enroll at the University of South Carolina early, and participate in spring practice. It worked out, as he came out of spring as a starter at cornerback. Appearing in all 12 games for the Gamecocks, Gilmore was the rare true freshman to start at cornerback in the Southeastern Conference in 2009. He had 52 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and nine pass deflections, which earned him Freshman All-American honors by College Football News and Phil Steele. Gilmore occasionally appeared on offense, with a career total of three attempted passes and six carries during regular season games. He also completed a 29-yard pass to Alshon Jeffery in the fourth quarter of the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Professional career Pre-draft Gilmore attended the NFL Scouting Combine and completed all of the combine drills, finishing second among all defensive backs in the short shuttle, tied for fourth in the 40-yard dash and the three-cone drill, finished sixth in the broad jump, and seventh in the vertical jump. On March 28, 2012, Gilmore attended South Carolina's pro day, along with Alshon Jeffery, Antonio Allen, Melvin Ingram, and 11 other prospects. He opted to only run positional drills for scouts and team representatives from all 32 NFL teams, including then-New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Gilmore was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft analysts. He was ranked the second best cornerback prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com, ESPN analyst Mike Mayock, and NFL draft analyst Adam Rank.
Buffalo Bills 2012
The Buffalo Bills selected Gilmore in the first round (10th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. He was the second cornerback selected behind Morris Claiborne and was the highest selected Gamecocks' cornerback since Dunta Robinson in 2004. On May 17, 2012, the Bills signed Gilmore to a four-year, $12.08 million rookie contract that is fully guaranteed and also included a signing bonus of $7.22 million with a fifth-year option.
Gilmore entered training camp projected to be the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season, but had minor competition from Aaron Williams and Terrence McGee to earn the role following the departure of Drayton Florence. Head coach Chan Gailey named Gilmore and Williams the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season.
During the season-opener against the New York Jets, Gilmore made his professional regular season debut and finished the 48–28 road loss with five combined tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble. In the next game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Gilmore recorded a season-high seven solo tackles and three pass deflections during the 35–17 victory. Two weeks later against the New England Patriots, he had seven combined tackles (five solo) and a season-high four pass deflections in the 52–28 loss.
During Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, Gilmore recorded five tackles (four solo) and a pass deflection in the 45–3 road loss. In the next game against the Arizona Cardinals, he once again had five tackles (four solo) and a pass deflection during the 19–16 overtime road victory. The following week against the Tennessee Titans, Gilmore recorded a solo tackle and a pass deflection in the narrow 35–34 loss.
Following a Week 8 bye, the Bills went on the road to face the Houston Texans. Gilmore finished the 21–9 loss with three solo tackles and a pass deflection. Two weeks later against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football, he once again recorded three solo tackles and a forced fumble in the 19–14 victory. In the next game against the Indianapolis Colts, Gilmore had six combined tackles (five solo), two pass deflections, and a forced fumble during the 20–13 road loss.
During a Week 13 34–18 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gilmore recorded three combined tackles (two solo) and a pass deflection. In the next game against the St. Louis Rams, he had two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and his first NFL interception off a pass by Sam Bradford to tight end Lance Kendricks and returned it for a 62-yard touchdown during the second quarter of the 15–12 loss, but the touchdown was overturned due a supposed holding penalty by defensive lineman Kyle Moore.
Gilmore finished his rookie year with 61 combined tackles (52 solo), 16 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and an interception in 16 games and starts.
2013
On January 6, 2013, the Bills hired Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone as their new head coach. Following the departure of Terrence McGee, the No. 24 became available and was immediately selected by Gilmore who opted to switch to No. 24 from the No. 27 he wore as a rookie. He entered training camp slated as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback for the Bills under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
During the third preseason game against the Washington Redskins on August 24, Gilmore recorded five combined tackles (three solo) before leaving the eventual 30–7 road loss in the third quarter with a wrist injury. Two days later, head coach Doug Marrone announced that Gilmore had fractured his wrist during the game and had would require surgery, but the Bills chose not to place Gilmore on injured reserve as he would have to remain inactive for a minimum of eight games and had an expected recovery time of six to eight weeks. In Gilmore's absence, Leodis McKelvin was named the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and was paired with the fairly inexperienced Justin Rogers.
Upon Gilmore's return in Week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Rogers was immediately benched, and Gilmore began his first two games (Weeks 6–7) as the third cornerback on the depth chart behind McKelvin and Aaron Williams. During a Week 9 23–13 loss to the Chiefs, Gilmore had a season-high seven combined tackles (six solo) and a pass deflection. Two weeks later against the Jets, he recorded two solo tackles and a pass deflection in the 37–14 victory. Following a Week 12 bye, the Bills went to Toronto to face the Atlanta Falcons. Gilmore finished the 34–31 overtime loss with five combined tackles (four solo) and a pass deflection.
During Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gilmore recorded two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and his first interception of the season in the 27–6 road victory. In the next game against the Jaguars, Gilmore had two solo tackles, an interception, and a pass deflection during the 27–20 road victory. The following week against the Dolphins, he recorded three solo tackles and three pass deflections in the 19–0 shutout victory.
Gilmore finished his second professional season with 35 combined tackles (30 solo), 10 pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions in 11 games and nine starts.
2014
On January 25, 2014, the Bills hired former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz to be their defensive coordinator following the departure of Mike Pettine, who accepted the head coaching position with the Cleveland Browns. Head coach Doug Marrone named Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin the starting cornerbacks to start the season with Corey Graham, Nickell Robey-Coleman, and Ross Cockrell as the backups.
Gilmore was inactive for the season-opener against the Chicago Bears due to a groin injury. He returned in time for the Week 2 matchup against the Dolphins and finished the 29–10 victory with two combined tackles (one solo). In the next game against the San Diego Chargers, he recorded a season-high of six solo tackles during the 22–10 loss. Two weeks later against the Lions, Gilmore had four combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and his first interception of the season off of Matthew Stafford in the 17–14 road victory.
During a Week 8 43–23 road victory over the Jets, Gilmore had five combined tackles (four solo), an interception, and a pass deflection. Following a Week 9 bye, the Bills returned home to face the Chiefs. Gilmore finished the 17–13 loss with three combined tackles (two solo) and a forced fumble.
During Week 14 against the Denver Broncos, Gilmore recorded three combined tackles (one solo), a pass deflection, and an interception in the 24–17 road loss. In the next game against the Green Bay Packers, he had two solo tackles and two pass deflections during the 21–13 victory. The following week against the Oakland Raiders, Gilmore recorded a solo tackle before sustaining a concussion while attempting to tackle wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins in the third quarter of the narrow 26–24 road loss. He subsequently remained in concussion protocol and was inactive for the regular season finale against the Patriots.
Gilmore finished the 2014 season with 46 combined tackles (38 solo), six pass deflections, three interceptions, and a forced fumble in 14 games and starts. The Bills finished second in the AFC East with a 9–7 record, but did not qualify for the playoffs. On December 31, 2014, Doug Marrone controversially announced his resignation as head coach after deciding to exercise an opt-out clause that was included in his contract.
2015
On January 12, 2015, the Bills hired recently fired former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan to be their 18th head coach. On August 28, the Bills exercised the fifth-year option on Gilmore's rookie contract, which was a fully-guaranteed one-year, $11.08 million contract. He entered training camp slated as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback under new defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman. Gilmore was named a starting cornerback to begin the season and was paired with rookie second-round pick Ronald Darby.