Stephon Gilmore

Stephon Gilmore was signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent from Buffalo on March 10, 2017 ... Originally drafted by Buffalo in the first round (10th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

PRONOUNCED steph-AHN

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Stephon Gilmore was signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent from Buffalo on March 10, 2017 ... Originally drafted by Buffalo in the first round (10th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Selected to three Pro Bowls and two in consecutive years in 2018 and 2019.
• Named to the New England Patriots 2010s All-Decade Team at cornerback.
• Named Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, becoming the first Patriot to win the award. Became the first defensive back to win the award since Troy Polamalu in 2010, first cornerback since Charles Woodson in 2009 and the sixth cornerback overall to earn accolade.
• Became the first cornerback chosen as PFWA Defensive Player of the Year for his performance in 2019. Also selected to the PFWA All-NFL team in consecutive seasons for the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.
• Named a unanimous selection to the Associated Press All-Pro: First Team in 2019 after tying for the league-lead with six interceptions and returning two for touchdowns, registering a league-high 20 passes defensed, forcing one fumble and making 53 tackles.
• Named Associated Press All-Pro: First Team after recording 20 passes defensed, two interceptions, 45 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2018.
• Voted the top corner in the NFL by his peers on the 2019 NFL Top 100 list.
• Intercepted a pass with under five minutes remaining to halt a threatening L.A. Rams drive and help secure a Patriots victory in Super Bowl LIII.
• Ranked second in the league with 20 passes defensed in 2018 and seventh in Patriots team history.
• Scored his only two career touchdowns on interception returns during the 2019 season, returning an interception 54-yards for a touchdown at Miami (9/15) and another for a 64-yard touchdown at Cincinnati (12/15).
• Set a career-high with six interceptions in 2019 after recording five with Buffalo in 2016.
• One of nine active players to record 20-plus passes defensed in multiple seasons in 2019. With 20 passes defensed in 2019, Gilmore became the 12th player and seventh currently active player to record 20-plus passes defensed in consecutive seasons in the NFL since 2000.

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2020 (11/11)

• Earned his fourth career Pro Bowl invitation
• Started all 11 games he played in and totaled 37 tackles, one interception, three passes defended and one forced fumble.
• Totaled five tackles and an interception he returned for 15 yards in the season-opening win over Miami (9/13).
• Started at corner, made three tackles in a loss at Seattle (9/20).
• Started at cornerback, broke up one pass in a Week 3 win over Las Vegas (9/27).
• Started at corner, punched the ball loose from KC receiver Sammy Watkins deep in Patriots territory in the second quarter. The forced fumble was recovered by JC Jackson, lead to an NE field goal. Also added three tackles in a loss at Kansas City (10/5). Helped limit Patrick Mahomes and the chiefs to no touchdowns in the first half for the third time in three years.
• Started at corner in a Week 6 loss vs. Denver (10/18), combined to make three tackles.
• Made six total tackles in a Week 7 loss vs. San Francisco (10/25) as a starting corner.
• Was inactive Week 8 at Buffalo (11/1), Week 9 at the Jets (11/9) and Week10 vs. Baltimore (11/15) due to injury.
• Returned to action after missing three games due to injury as part of a Week 11 loss at Houston (11/22). Made 6 total tackles, including four solos.
• Made four unassisted tackles in a Week 12 win vs. Arizona (11/29). Was key in limiting Arizona to 298 net yards. they entered the game with the NFL's top ranked offense averaging 414.3 yards per game and it was their second lowest output of the season to the 262 yards at Carolina on Oct. 4.
• Started at corner and made on tackle in a Week 13 win at the Chargers (12/6). Broke up one pass that forced a third and long that was not converted. On the ensuing punt, Gunner Olszewski ran it back 70-yards for a touchdown.
• Made four solo tackles in a Week 14 loss at the Rams (12/10).
• Started at corner and made two tackles before leaving a Week 15 loss at Miami (12/20) early due to injury.
• Was placed on IR prior to Week 16.

2019 (16/16, 1/1)

• Named Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first Patriot to win the award. Became the first defensive back to win the award since Troy Polamalu in 2010, first cornerback since Charles Woodson in 2009 and the sixth cornerback overall to earn accolade.
• Selected to the AFC Pro Bowl for the third time in his career and second consecutive season.
• Chosen as PFWA Defensive Player of the Year and became the third cornerback to win the award since it was founded in 1992. Joined Deion Sanders (1994) and Charles Woodson (2009) as the only corners to win the award.
• Named to the PFWA All-NFL team for the second-consecutive season. Also named a member of the PFWA All-AFC Team.
• Unanimously voted to the Associated Press All-Pro: First Team for the second time in his career after starting all 16 regular-season games, tying for the league-lead with six interceptions and returning two for touchdowns, registering 20 passes defensed (tied for career-high) for the second-consecutive season, forcing one fumble and making a career-high 53 tackles as part of a defense that finished No. 1 in the NFL in total defense (275.9 yards per game) and scoring (14.1 points allowed per game). Two interception returns for touchdowns also tied a team record.
• Named AFC Defensive Player of the Month in October.
• Started at cornerback and made two tackles in the AFC Wild Card loss vs. Tennessee (1/4).
• Was a key contributor on defense in a starting role at cornerback, making two tackles, an interception that he returned 54 yards for his first career touchdown and three passes defensed — one of which led to a third quarter interception by DB Devin McCourty in the victory at Miami (9/15).
• Recorded his second interception of the season and tied a career-high with five passes defensed vs. N.Y. Giants (10/10). Also registered three tackles in the victory.
• Grabbed his third interception of the season and second in consecutive games while adding one pass defensed in the win at N.Y. Jets (10/21).
• Grabbed his fourth interception of the season and added two passes defensed and five tackles in the win vs. Dallas (11/24). His second pass defensed came on a crucial second down when the Cowboys were throwing into the end zone while trailing by a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Also held Dallas WR Amari Cooper without a catch during the game.
• Recorded five tackles, one pass defensed and recovered a fumble forced by DB Devin McCourty in the third quarter of the loss vs. Kansas City (12/8). The fumble recovery led to a Patriots field goal.
• Made two tackles and two interceptions with four passes defensed in the win at Cincinnati (12/15). Returned his second interception for a 64-yard touchdown while also marking his second pick-six of the season and his career, setting a new career-long interception return. Gilmore's two interception returns for touchdowns make him the first player to achieve the feat since Tedy Bruschi in 2003. Joined J.C. Jackson as the first pair of Patriot defenders to record multiple interceptions in the same game since 1986.
• Led the team with eight tackles and added one pass defensed in the loss vs. Miami (12/29). His pass defensed brought his total to 20 on the year, tying a career-best and making him the first Patriot since 2000 to record back-to-back seasons with 20 passes defensed.

2018 (16/16, 3/3)

• Selected to his second career Pro Bowl.
• Earned Associated Press All-Pro: First Team honors.
• Named to the PFWA All-NFL team for the first time in his career.
• Started all 16 regular season games at cornerback and posted 45 tackles, his first career sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and a career-high 20 passes defensed, which were second in the NFL behind Chicago's Kyle Fuller.
• Started all three postseason contests and totaled seven tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions and five passes defensed.
• Started at cornerback in the season-opening victory vs. Houston (9/9) and finished with a team-high eight tackles total while adding two passes defensed and an interception in the end zone of QB Deshaun Watson.
• Started at cornerback and finished with three tackles while shadowing WR Davante Adams for most of the night, limiting him to six catches for just 40 yards in the victory vs. Green Bay (11/4). Also added a pass defensed and a key fumble recovery early in the fourth quarter of a tie game that led to a Patriots go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing offensive possession.
• Made the start at cornerback and finished with four tackles while also making his first-career sack when he dropped QB Marcus Mariota for a 7-yard loss in the game at Tennessee (11/11).
• Started at cornerback and finished with one tackle and two passes defensed, while also adding his second interception of the season when he picked off QB Josh McCown late in the second quarter of the win at N.Y. Jets (11/25).
• Started and was a key contributor on defense, making one tackle while adding two passes defensed and an interception of QB Philip Rivers in the AFC Divisional Playoff win vs. L.A. Chargers (1/13).
• Started and made one tackle in the AFC Championship victory at Kansas City (1/20).
• Started at cornerback and finished with five tackles, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and an interception with under five minutes to play in the game with the Rams deep in New England territory during the Super Bowl LIII victory vs. L.A. Rams (2/3). Gilmore's interception helped preserve a one-score lead for the Patriots and returned possession to the offense, where they ultimately added a field goal to help put the game away. Gilmore played as part of a defense that held its opponent to a Super-Bowl record-tying low three points.

2017 (13/13, 3/3)

• Started all 13 regular-season games he appeared in and totaled 50 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes defensed.
• Started all three playoff games and posted 10 tackles and led the defense with six passes defensed, including the final fourth-down attempt by Jacksonville in the AFC Championship to secure a Super Bowl berth.
• Was inactive due to injury at N.Y. Jets (10/15), vs. Atlanta (10/22) and vs. L.A. Chargers (10/29).
• Started at cornerback in his Patriots debut and totaled four tackles and a pass defensed in the season opener vs. Kansas City (9/7).
• Started at cornerback and totaled four tackles, a pass defensed and made his first interception as a member of the Patriots that he returned 39 yards to the Texans 12-yard line to set up a Patriots touchdown in the win vs. Houston (9/24).
• Made his return to the starting lineup after missing three games due to injury and finished with three tackles and a pass defensed in the victory at Denver (11/12).
• Started at cornerback and finished with one tackle and a pass defensed to go along with his second interception of the season in the victory vs. Miami (11/26).
• Started at cornerback and led the team with eight tackles to go along with a pass defensed in the victory at Pittsburgh (12/17).
• Started at corner and finished with five tackles and added two passes defensed, including a pass breakup on Jacksonville's final fourth-down attempt of the game in New England territory in the 24-20 AFC Championship victory vs. the Jaguars (1/21).

2016 (15/15 – Buffalo)

• Earned his first career Pro Bowl invitation.
• Started all 15 games he played in and recorded 48 tackles, a career-high five interceptions and 12 passes defensed.
• Was inactive for the regular-season finale at N.Y. Jets (1/1).
• Made a season-high tying six tackles N.Y. Jets (9/15).
• Tallied two interceptions - his first career multi-pick game - and added three tackles and four passes defensed vs. Arizona (9/25).
• Recorded two interceptions at Cincinnati (11/20), becoming the first Bill since Jairus Byrd in 2009 with two multiple pick games in one season. Added a season-high tying six tackles and three passes defensed.
• Recorded one tackle, one pass defensed and his fifth interception of the season vs. Pittsburgh (12/11), marking the most interceptions by a Bill in a single season since Jairus Byrd in 2012.
• Posted four tackles and one pass defensed vs. Miami (12/24), before leaving the game in overtime due to injury.

2015 (12/12 – Buffalo)

• Started all 12 regular-season games he played in and produced 36 tackles, three interceptions and 18 passes defensed.
• Missed the final four games of the season due to injury. Was inactive at Philadelphia (12/13) and placed on injured reserve on Dec. 16 due to a shoulder injury.
• Recorded a season-high six tackles and tied a career high with four passes defensed in the season-opener vs. Indianapolis (9/13).
• Notched his first interception of the season and added two passes defensed and two tackles vs. N.Y. Giants (10/4).
• Made one tackle and sealed the game with an interception in the final minute at Tennessee (10/11). Also produced a game-high and tied a career-high with four passes defensed.
• Recorded his third interception of the season and made one tackle at New England (11/23).
• Made his 50th NFL start and posted five tackles with one pass defensed at Kansas City (11/29).
• Produced two tackles before leaving the game with a shoulder injury vs. Houston (12/6).

2014 (14/14 – Buffalo)

• Started all 14 regular-season games he appeared in, recording 46 tackles, three interceptions, six passes defensed and one forced fumble
• Was inactive for the season opener at Chicago (9/7) and the season finale at New England (12/28).
• Recorded a season-high six solo tackles vs. San Diego (9/21).
• Recorded four tackles and his first interception of the season at Detroit (10/5). Also notched a pass defensed.
• Registered five tackles, one pass defensed and an interception at N.Y. Jets (10/26).
• Recorded three tackles, one pass defensed and a forced fumble vs. Kansas City (11/9).
• Posted three tackles, one pass defensed and an interception at Denver (12/7).
• Made one tackle before leaving the game due to injury at Oakland (12/21).

2013 (11/9 – Buffalo)

• Played in 11 games and started nine after missing the first five with a wrist injury. Finished the season with 35 tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed.
• Made his 2013 season debut and posted three tackles vs. Cincinnati (10/13).
• Made his first start of the season and recorded one tackle at New Orleans (10/27).
• Totaled a season-high seven tackles and added one pass defensed vs. Kansas City (11/3).
• Totaled two tackles and one pass defensed vs. N.Y. Jets (11/17). Helped pass defense yield a season-low 12 completions.
• Notched two tackles, his first interception of the season and two passes defensed at Tampa Bay (12/8).
• Posted an interception in his second consecutive game at Jacksonville (12/15) and added two tackles and one pass defensed.
• Posted three tackles and three passes defensed vs. Miami (12/22). Defense yielded a season-low 89 passing yards.

2012 (16/16 – Buffalo)

• Started all 16 games of his rookie season. Made 61 tackles, one interception and led the team with 16 passes defensed.
• Became the first Bills rookie cornerback to start the season opener since Nate Odomes in 1987. Led Bills cornerbacks with five tackles and posted one forced fumble vs. N.Y. Jets (9/9).
• Tied for a team-high seven tackles and a team-high three passes defensed vs. Kansas City (9/16).
• Had a game-high four passes defensed and seven tackles vs. New England (9/30).
• Tied for the team-lead with six tackles at New England (11/11).
• Produced three tackles and a forced fumble vs. Miami (11/15). Turnover was converted into a field goal.
• Tied for the team-lead with six tackles at Indianapolis (11/25). Added two passes defensed and a forced fumble.
• Made his first career interception vs. St. Louis (12/9). Added two tackles and two passes defensed.

College

• Started all 40 games he played in at South Carolina and posted 181 tackles with seven sacks, 15 stops for losses and five quarterback pressures. Also caused four fumbles and recovered four others. Had eight interceptions (one returned for TD) and 17 passes defensed.
• Gained 206 yards on 28 punt returns, 47 yards on two kickoff returns, 37 yards on seven carries, 68 yards on two-of-three pass completions and a blocked kick.
• Was a 2011 All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report as a junior. Added All-SEC first-team honors and was named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List, an honor given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission and football legend Paul Hornung. Also received SEC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll recognition. Started all 13 games at right cornerback, recording 46 tackles, one sack, four interceptions and three quarterback pressures.
• Earned All-American second-team honors from the NFL Draft Report and third-team accolades from the Associated Press, as the league's coaches selected him All-SEC first-team as a sophomore in 2010. Started all 14 games at right cornerback and led the team with 79 tackles, three sacks, six stops behind the line of scrimmage, two QB pressures, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Also posted three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
• Earned Freshman All- America honors by Phil Steele, CollegeFootballNews.com and Scout.com. Also named Freshman All-SEC by the league's coaches. Started all 13 games at right cornerback and ranked fifth on the team with 56 tackles. Also registered three sacks and six stops for losses. Posted one interception, eight passes defensed and caused and recovered a pair of fumbles.

Personal

• Earned SEC academic honors as a sophomore and junior.
• Graduated from South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 2008. Earned first-team All-State honors as a senior
• Named "Mr. Football" for the state of South Carolina while helping his team to a perfect 15-0 record and the South Carolina AAAA Division II title as a senior. Rushed for 1,331 yards and 23 touchdowns and passed for 1,771 yards with 14 scores.
• Married to Gabrielle and they have a son, Sebastian, and a daughter, Gisele.
• Majored in sport and entertainment management at South Carolina.