Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore retires at age 35

Stephon Gilmore (All-Pro Reels Photography, Wikimedia Commons)

According to Rogers Sportsnet on Thursday, former Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore of Rock Hill, South Carolina has retired at the age of 35. Gillmore played 13 seasons in the National Football League with six different teams.

Gillmore was with the Buffalo Bills for five seasons from 2012 to 2016, with the New England Patriots for four seasons from 2017 to 2020, with the Carolina Panthers for one season in 2021, the Indianapolis Colts for one season in 2022, the Dallas Cowboys for one season in 2023, and the Minnesota Vikings for one season in 2024. The news of Gillmore’s retirement was not too surprising because he did not play in the National Football League in 2025.

In 180 games, Gillmore had 617 combined tackles (521 solo tackles and 96 assisted tackles), nine tackles for a loss, one quarterback hit, 32 interceptions for 496 yards, two pick sixes, 149 pass deflections, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one sack.

Gilmore’s first pick six came in a 43-0 Patriots win over the Miami Dolphins on September 15, 2019. Gilmore’s second pick six came in a 34-13 Patriots win over the Cincinnati Bengals on December 15, 2019.

You could make the argument that Gilmore’s most notable season came in 2019 with the Patriots. In addition to his two pick sixes, Gilmore led the NFL with six interceptions and 20 pass deflections. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl and was the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.

Five times Gilmore was selected to the Pro Bowl. He was honoured with the Bills in 2016, the Patriots for three straight years from 2018 to 2020, and one year with the Panthers in 2021. While with the Patriots, Gillmore won the Super Bowl in 2019.