Stephone Gilmore is an American football cornerback who plays in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills in the first round, as the 10th overall pick, spending 5 years before moving to the New England Patriots. 

Gilmore was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina on 19th September 1990, and did his high schooling at South Pointe High School there. He enjoyed a highly successful high school football career getting named Mr. Football for the state of South Carolina, and being ranked the No. 2 overall prospect from the state going into college. 

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As a four-star recruit, he committed to play his college football at the University of South Carolina for the Gamecocks from 2009-2011 where he earned Freshman All-American Honours. He also played in offense occasionally for the Gamecocks. After a promising NFL Combine performance, he was earmarked as a steady round 1 pick and the 2nd best cornerback prospect in the market. 

The Buffalo Bills snapped him up in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft offering Gilmore a 4-year rookie contract worth $12 million, fully guaranteed, including a $7.22 million signing bonus, with the option of a 5th year.

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Named as the starting cornerback right away, Gilmore made his professional debut and first start in the 2012 season opener in a 48-28 loss to New York Jets, in which he made 5 tackles. He finished his rookie year with 61 tackles (52 solo), 16 pass deflections and an interception in 16 games, all of which were starts. 

In 2017, after spending 5 years with the Buffalo Bills, Gilmore was signed by the New England Patriots on a 5-year contract worth $65 million, including $31 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $18 million. He made his debut for the Patriots in a 42-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. That year, the Patriots entered the playoffs with a 13-3 record and Gilmore played his first playoff game helping the Patriots defeat the Tennessee Titans 35-14. On February 18th, 2018 he played started in the Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles, but there was to be no Super Bowl ring for Gilmore that year as the Patriots crumbled to a 41-33 loss. 

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However, the Patriots were back to the Super Bowl the following season and Gilmore, who had enjoyed his most prolific season so far, helped the Patriots claim a 13-3 victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, claiming his first Super Bowl ring.

In 2021, Gilmore was traded to the Carolina Panthers, and in April 2022 signed with the Indianapolis Colts on a 2 year contract worth $23 million, of which $14 million were guaranteed.