Gilmore Finishes What He Started

Stephon Gilmore made a career of not allowing anything to be completed on him. Now the former South Carolina defensive back (2009-2011) and 13-year NFL veteran has completed what he started on campus by earning his degree and walking across the stage at the University’s December graduation ceremony on Monday.

“It was very important to me to go back and have my kids see me graduate,” said Gilmore, a father of three, who finished his liberal studies degree through the South Carolina Athletics Department’s Degree Completion Program and Palmetto College. “I left school early (for the NFL), and I always wanted to go back. I’ve been working on it the last couple of years. I was able to do it all online.”

“When Stephon left school early, he seized the chance to pursue his NFL dream,” said South Carolina Executive Associate Athletics Director Maria Hickman. “Seeing him return to finish what he started in the classroom is truly inspiring. I couldn’t be happier for Stephon and his family as they celebrate this incredible achievement.”

Gilmore earned First Team All-SEC and Third Team All-American honors with the Gamecocks in 2010. He was a key part of a defense that helped the Gamecocks make their first trip to the SEC Championship game in 2010 as well as South Carolina’s first 11-win season in 2011.

“Playing in the SEC Championship is one of my best memories,” Gilmore said. “We also beat Clemson every year I was there. That’s a big one.”

The Degree Completion Program is for student-athletes who leave the university in good academic standing to pursue a professional career or did not complete their degree due to personal circumstances. The program allows them to apply to be readmitted to come back to campus or take online courses to finish their degree while eligible to receive funding for room, board, books, and tuition. They also have access to all of the resources offered to current student-athletes, such as tutors, laptops, and use of the Dodie Anderson Academic Enrichment Center. Some may not need all of the assistance as it’s not uncommon to have a return to school written into professional contracts.

“I was drafted early and had a chance to live out my dream and play in the NFL, so it was great to have a way to come back and get my degree,” Gilmore said. “It takes some pressure off you. Maria Hickman has been a great help to me answering my calls and texts, even before I started taking classes. She made it super-easy for me.”

Getting back into classes after more than a decade of only studying NFL game film wasn’t easy, but Gilmore said it was worth it.

“I’m very determined, and when I set my mind to something, I can definitely get it done,” Gilmore said. “I was successful in my football career, but I am happy that I was also successful in the classroom and able to get that degree. That’s something no one can take from you.

“If you’re a former athlete and thinking about going back, you should definitely go get it. It leads to a lot of other options to pursue dreams after football such as coaching and scouting.”

Gilmore lives in Boca Raton, Florida with his wife, Gabrielle. They are the proud parents of two boys Sebastian (10) and Storey (4) and one daughter, Gisele (8).