Stephon Gilmore Was Always the Ultimate Pro with Patriots

During his four-plus seasons with the New England Patriots, cornerback Stephon Gilmore was both highly praised and accordingly decorated for outstanding play on the field, as well as his exemplary leadership off of it.

Alas, at the age of 35, Gilmore has decided to enter the next chapter of his life — announcing his retirement on Instagram. In the process, he leaves a legacy built on dedication and perseverance.

”From my first game with Finley Road Falcons to two Super Bowls, multiple Pro Bowls, and a Defensive Player of the Year Award, you taught me the invaluable lesson of working hard and believing in myself," Gilmore wrote. I have had an incredible 13 years in the League, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds."

The Rock Hill, SC native was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 after leading the league with six interceptions and 20 passes-defensed. He earned three [of his five] Pro Bowl nods, received two first-team All-Pro selections, and was a member of the team that won a championship in Super Bowl LIII. Throughout the entirety of his Patriots career, Gilmore compiled 185 tackles, 52 passes-defensed, three forced fumbles, 11 interceptions — two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Known for his often stoic, yet intense demeanor, Gilmore led by example each time he wore shoulder pads. Affectionately dubbed “The Gilly Lock,” he was proficient at both containing, and in some cases … erasing, the production of an opposing team’s top reciever. When making a play on the ball, Gilmore relied on a precision possessed by few of his peers. As a result, his interceptions while wearing Patriot Blue were often aesthetically brilliant — to the point where they were recently chronicled by Patriots.com.

While the Patriots unquestionably missed the prowess Gilmore was able to bring to the field after his departure in 2021, his experience and veteran presence continued to hold an influential place in New England. As a matter of fact, they have held a peripheral role in the development of cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, and Carlton Davis. Gilmore could usually be expected to provide both praise and words of encouragement to the current Pats corners throughout the season via social media. Though the South Carolina product was often the subject of rumors surrounding a return to Foxborough, such wishes failed to materialize despite his ability to still play the game at a significant level.

Stephon Gilmore Led Patriots On and Off the Field

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore — Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore reportedly is holding out of mandatory minicamp. LEDE 1 | Bob Breidenbach/The Providence Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Perhaps most importantly, however, Gilmore’s ability to lead was cultivated during his time in Foxborough — a skill which followed him to each subsequent stop he made throughout the rest of his career. From the outset of his Patriots’ tenure, Gilmore became keenly aware that things were done a bit differently in New England under then head coach Bill Belichick.

Not long after Gilmore first arrived in New England in 2017, the legendary “HC of the NEP” gave his new star cornerback a drill-sergeant-like lashing for missing an on-field stop.

“He killed me one day, bro. It was when I first got there,” the five-time Pro Bowler said during an appearance on The Money Down Podcast in July 2025. “I was pressed down on the receiver. It was a bunch route. …And I got picked. Bro, he killed me the next meeting …

“I almost cried, how he did me. I ain’t going to lie to you,” he added. “I went to the bathroom, like man, bro. I can tell you one thing: I ain’t never got picked again after that.”

Rather than cower under the pressure of his new surroundings, Gilmore rose above his troubles to become one of Belichick’s most productive and reliable defenders. In fact, when it became apparent that the cornerback’s time in New England was headed for an inevitable end, Belichick was among the first to praise the star of his secondary for nearly five seasons.

"I am grateful to Stephon Gilmore for his significant contributions to our team,” Belichick said in Oct. 2021. “It was a privilege and pleasure to coach Steph, I appreciate him for the true professional and class act that he is and wish him all the best in the future.”

Having turned struggle into success in New England, Gilmore credited his Foxborough forging for allowing him to play an elder-statesmanesque leadership role with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. Appearing in all 17 games for the club, Gilmore finished the campaign with 68 total tackles, 13 passes-defensed, two interceptions and one forced fumble. While those numbers may not have illuminated the Cowboys team stat sheet, Gilmore’s contributions to the team were as much about leadership as on-field ability.

Having been acquired from the Indianapolis Colts via trade (in exchange for a compensatory fifth round selection) in March 2023, Gilmore was expected to serve as an experienced presence in the Cowboys secondary opposite top cornerback Trevon Diggs. Unfortunately, an ACL tear during one-on-one practice drills in September put an abrupt end to Diggs’ season. Accordingly, Gilmore was once again thrust into a prominent role in helping to keep Dallas’ cornerback room focused.

Despite still having the talent to lead the Cowboys’ secondary, it was reserve corner DaRon Bland who emerged as their primary option at the position — breaking up 15 passes and leading the NFL with nine interceptions. Unsurprisingly, Bland has since praised Gilmore’s willingness to lend insight as a key factor in his ascension to the NFC’s upper echelon of defensive backs.

In the final analysis, much debate will be made within the coming days regarding Gilmore’s worthiness of Hall of Fame induction — whether it be the Pro Football Hall in Canton, or the Patriots Hall in Foxborough. While his career accomplishments make an adequate case for either honor, Gilmore’s true legacy will remain rooted in the grit and grind he exemplified throughout his career. Rather than letting his bravado seek self-serving attention, he let his performance do the talking for him.

In that regard, Stephon Gilmore is a throwback to the days of the noble athlete. He did the game the right way, from start to finish. On that basis, his contributions to pro football will forever draw the admiration and gratitude from all NFL fans, especially Patriots Nation.

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