{"id":849952,"date":"2026-04-02T20:28:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T20:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849952\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T20:28:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T20:28:20","slug":"former-indianapolis-colts-cornerback-announces-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849952\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Indianapolis Colts Cornerback Announces Retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Stephon\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore has called it a career<\/p>\n

Stephon Gilmore<\/a>, a member of the Indianapolis Colts<\/a> in the 2022 season, has announced his retirement on social media. The former 10th overall pick in the 2012 NFL<\/a> Draft played 13 seasons in the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo my first love, Football \u2013 As a young, scrappy kid from Rock Hill, South Carolina with humble beginnings, the eldest of 6 \u2013 you gave me focus, opportunity, strength, and friends to last a lifetime,\u201d the former professional cornerback wrote on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom my first game with Finley Road Falcons<\/a> 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,\u201d Gilmore continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo my wife and kids, thank you for making it possible for me to chase my dreams. To my parents, thank you for raising me to be the man I am today. To my coaches, thank you for pouring into me. And to the fans, thank you for your support. I have had an incredible 13 years in the League, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds.\u201d<\/p>\n

As mentioned, the newly retired defender played for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2022 season. In his single season with Indy, Gilmore logged 11 pass deflections, 2 interceptions and 66 tackles.<\/p>\n

A former Defensive Player of the Year with the New England Patriots<\/a>, Gilmore was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.<\/p>\n

Stephon Gilmore has played 180 games in his career, starting 173, and has registered 32 interceptions and 149 pass deflections.<\/p>\n

Support Pours In for Stephon Gilmore\"Stephon<\/p>\n

GettyCornerback Stephon Gilmore<\/p>\n

Waves of support have started to be released with Stephon Gilmore announcing his retirement.<\/p>\n

Former Colts safety Nick Cross reposted Gilmore\u2019s announcement on Instagram, sharing his support for his former teammate.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dawg. Congrats my guy @bumpnrungilmore. Appreciate you for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin<\/a> commented on Gilmore\u2019s retirement post, calling him one of the greats and proud to have him as a teammate.<\/p>\n

Carolina Panthers<\/a> cornerback Jaycee Horn<\/a>, who played together in the 2021 season, praised his former teammate.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the best to ever do it! Appreciate you more than ever OG.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patriots All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez<\/a> commented on the retirement post with emojis of goats.<\/p>\n

The Indianapolis Colts have yet to put out a post in support of the former member of the defensive back room.<\/p>\n

Stephon Gilmore Wanted to Continue Playing\"Stephon<\/p>\n

GettyStephon Gilmore played with six teams throughout his career<\/p>\n

Stephon Gilmore last played in the 2024 NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings<\/a> on a one-year deal.<\/p>\n

While that was the last season of his career, the former DPOY winner revealed before the start of the 2025 season that he wanted to continue playing under the \u201cright situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to play this year, it\u2019s just got to be the right situation,\u201d he said, via the NFL<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s got to be the right situation for me. I\u2019m not just gonna sign anywhere. \u2026 I still love the game. I still can contribute. It\u2019s just got to be the right place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, the situation never came through and the cornerback missed out on what would have been his 14th season in the National Football League.<\/p>\n

The cornerback ends his career as a Super Bowl winner.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJason Garcia<\/a> Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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