Stephon Gilmore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Stephon Gilmore

Gilmore with the Carolina Panthers in 2021
No. 2 – Minnesota Vikings
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(1990-09-19) September 19, 1990 (age 34) Rock Hill, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:	South Pointe (Rock Hill, South Carolina)
College:	South Carolina (2009–2011)
NFL Draft:	2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
Career history
Buffalo Bills (2012) New England Patriots (2017) Carolina Panthers (2021) Indianapolis Colts (2022) Dallas Cowboys (2023) Minnesota Vikings (2024–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (LIII) NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2019) 2× First-team All-Pro (2018, 2019) 5× Pro Bowl (2016, 2018–2021) NFL interceptions co-leader (2019) New England Patriots All-2010s Team New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team Third-team All-American (2010) First-team All-SEC (2010) Freshman All-American (2009)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 5, 2024
Total tackles: 581 Sacks: 1.0 Forced fumbles: 7 Fumble recoveries: 3 Pass deflections: 143 Interceptions: 32 Defensive touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

Stephon Stiles Gilmore (born September 19, 1990) is an American professional football cornerback. He currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Buffalo Bills chose him tenth overall in the 2012 NFL draft.

Gilmore played his first five seasons with the Bills. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2016. After that, he joined the New England Patriots. With the Patriots, Gilmore was named the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year. He also led the league in interceptions that year. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors. He was also part of the team that won Super Bowl LIII. Later, Gilmore played for the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, and Dallas Cowboys. He earned a fifth Pro Bowl selection with the Panthers.

Early Life and High School

Stephon Gilmore grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He went to South Pointe High School. There, he was a star in football, basketball, and track.

High School Football Star

In football, Gilmore played both quarterback and defensive back. As a senior, he helped his team have a perfect 15–0 season. They won the state championship. He ran for over 1,300 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. He also passed for over 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gilmore was named "Mr. Football" for South Carolina. He was also an All-American.

Track and Field

Gilmore also ran track in high school. He competed in sprinting events. He ran the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters. He was also part of the 4 × 100 meter relay team.

College Choice

Experts saw Gilmore as a top football recruit. He was one of the best players from South Carolina in 2009. He chose to play for the University of South Carolina. He picked them over other big schools like Alabama and Clemson.

College Career

Gilmore finished high school early in December 2008. This allowed him to start college at the University of South Carolina sooner. He joined the Gamecocks for spring practice. He quickly became a starting cornerback.

He played in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2009. This was rare for a freshman in the Southeastern Conference. He had 52 tackles and nine passes defended. He was named a Freshman All-American. Sometimes, he even played offense. He completed a 29-yard pass in a bowl game.

Professional Career

Getting Drafted

Before the 2012 NFL draft, Gilmore showed off his skills at the NFL Scouting Combine. He performed very well in many drills. Experts believed he would be a first-round pick. The Buffalo Bills chose him as the 10th overall pick. He was the second cornerback chosen in the draft.

Buffalo Bills (2012–2016)

Gilmore in 2012

The Bills signed Gilmore to a four-year contract. He started as a cornerback right away. In his first NFL game, he had five tackles. Later that season, he got his first NFL interception. He finished his rookie year with 61 tackles and 16 pass deflections.

In 2013, Gilmore changed his jersey number. He broke his wrist during the preseason. This made him miss several weeks. He returned in Week 6 and continued to play well. He had 35 tackles and two interceptions that season.

Gilmore in 2014

Gilmore missed the first game of 2014 due to a groin injury. He had a good season with 46 tackles and three interceptions. The Bills had a winning record but did not make the playoffs.

Gilmore at practice in 2015

In 2015, the Bills kept Gilmore for another year. He started strong with a season-high six tackles. He also had a career-high four pass deflections in one game. However, he suffered a shoulder injury in December. This ended his season early. He finished with 36 tackles and three interceptions.

The 2016 season was a big year for Gilmore. He had his first game with two interceptions. He did it again later in the season. He finished with a career-high five interceptions. This was the most by a Bills player in years. He was voted to the 2017 Pro Bowl.

New England Patriots (2017–2020)

In 2017, Gilmore signed a big contract with the New England Patriots. He became their top cornerback. He got his first interception as a Patriot in Week 3. He missed some games due to a concussion. He finished his first Patriots season with 50 tackles and two interceptions.

The Patriots made it to Super Bowl LII that year. Gilmore started in the Super Bowl. The Patriots lost a close game to the Philadelphia Eagles.

In 2018, Gilmore continued to be a top player. He had a sack, two interceptions, and 20 passes defended. He was named to his second Pro Bowl. He was also a first-team All-Pro. He was considered the best cornerback in the league.

The Patriots reached Super Bowl LIII. Gilmore made a key interception in the fourth quarter. This helped seal the Patriots' 13–3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. He became a Super Bowl champion.

Gilmore in 2019

The 2019 season was Gilmore's best. In Week 2, he intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. This was his first "pick-six." He had another game with two interceptions, including another pick-six. He finished the season leading the league with six interceptions. He also had two touchdowns.

Gilmore won the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. He was the first Patriots player and first cornerback since 2009 to win it.

In 2020, Gilmore had an interception in the first game. He later tested positive for COVID-19. He also suffered a quad injury in Week 15. This put him on injured reserve. He played in 11 games that season.

Carolina Panthers (2021)

In October 2021, Gilmore was traded to the Carolina Panthers. He was still recovering from his quad injury. He returned to play in Week 8. In his first game back, he got an interception. He also had an interception against his former team, the Patriots. Even though he played in only 8 games, he was named to the 2022 Pro Bowl.

Indianapolis Colts (2022)

In 2022, Gilmore signed a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He started 16 games for them. He recorded 66 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 11 pass breakups. He had a strong game against the Dallas Cowboys with an interception.

Dallas Cowboys (2023)

In March 2023, the Colts traded Gilmore to the Dallas Cowboys. In his first game with the Cowboys, he had an interception. This was his 30th career interception. His reliable play helped the team after another star cornerback got injured. He started all 17 regular season games. He finished with 68 tackles and two interceptions.

Minnesota Vikings (2024–present)

In August 2024, Gilmore signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He joined up again with his former coach, Brian Flores.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season

Postseason

Personal Life

Stephon Gilmore is the son of Linda and Steve Gilmore. He married his college sweetheart, Gabrielle Glenn, in 2014. They have three children named Sebastian, Gael, and Gisele. Gabrielle was also an athlete, a sprinter for the University of South Carolina.

Gilmore has a younger brother, Steven, who also played cornerback. Steven played for Marshall. Stephon grew up as a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He was very excited to join his favorite team later in his career.

See Also

In Spanish: Stephon Gilmore para niños