Two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore retires as member of Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Stephon Gilmore, a two-time All-Pro cornerback, is officially calling it quits with the team he achieved the most success with throughout his 13-season NFL career. The 35-year-old Gilmore will sign a one-day contract with the Patriots on Friday, retiring as a member of the same organization he won Super Bowl LIII with in 2018.

Gilmore, who was selected 10th overall in the 2012 draft by the Buffalo Bills, quickly emerged as one of the league's top secondary players over the next five seasons. He solidified his place in New England's defense upon arriving as a free agent from Buffalo in 2017. In his second season with the Patriots, Gilmore earned his first of two consecutive AP All-Pro selections. He also secured the game-winning interception late in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' 13-3 Super Bowl triumph over the Los Angeles Rams that season.

In 2019, Gilmore broke another significant milestone, becoming the first player in Patriots history to earn the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He delivered an impressive season with six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He also recorded a career-high 20 pass breakups that same year. His abilities reached new heights in 2018 and 2019, where he led the league in interceptions and pass breakups respectively.

Throughout his career, Gilmore has donned the jerseys of the Bills, Patriots, Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and Vikings. He has amassed an impressive 32 interceptions and 149 pass breakups during his time in the NFL.