Gamecock great Stephon Gilmore named NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Former South Carolina football star Stephon Gilmore capped a magnificent 2019 season with his biggest honor yet, being named Saturday the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Gilmore, a cornerback for the New England Patriots, had a career highs in interceptions (6), passes defended (20) and touchdowns (2), while picking up 53 combined tackles. He led the NFL or was tied for the lead in interceptions and passes defended and was third in passer rating allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.
As a key part of a historically good Patriots defense, Gilmore had already been named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and All-Pro team.
Gilmore is the first defensive back to win Defensive Player of the Year in a decade and the first South Carolina player to ever win the award. In addition to that trophy, he won a Super Bowl ring last season, intercepting a pass in New England’s championship win over the Los Angeles Rams. He is one of just 16 former Gamecocks to win a Super Bowl.
At South Carolina, Gilmore earned third-team All-America honors as a senior and first-team All-SEC accolades as a sophomore and junior. He was selected No. 10 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, tied for the highest pick ever for a USC defensive back.
This story was originally published February 1, 2020 at 5:36 PM.
