Family is what drives Vikings‘ CB Stephon Gilmore to keep pushing himself! Showing his dominance for the past 13 NFL seasons, he was first drafted by the Buffalo Bills back in 2012. A South Carolina alumnus, he has various trophies under his prestigious collection, including the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, five Pro Bowl selections, along with two All-Pro honors.

Growing up in Rock Hill, South Carolina to parents Steven and Linda, he credits them with whatever he is today. As the eldest of six, he assumed a responsible stance since the early days, making him a true leader!

Who are Linda and Steve Gilmore?

While Stephon’s dad Steven works as a bail bondsman, his mom Linda is employed as a real estate agent. And they have worked tirelessly to provide for their huge family of eight. During their absence amid the working hours, Stephon used to babysit his siblings. Reflecting on how he used to take care of them, Linda recalls, “We never told him how to babysit, but he would keep them all in line,” as highlighted in the Buffalo Bills article published in 2012. She continues, “He accepted that responsibility really early and never had a problem getting them to do what he said,” proud of his ability to take care of them.

And, Stephon developed a love for sports from his dad. Steven trained him to perform drills in the driveway. Since his teen years, Stephon made sure to follow his passions, and his dad supported him thoroughly. When he was facing struggles as a cornerback, he promised it would never happen again. He remarked, “I wasn’t fast enough; I wasn’t strong. But after that game, I promised myself that I would never let something like that happen to me again,” as mentioned in the Buffalo Bills’ article in 2015.

How has Stephon Gilmore’s humble beginning propelled him to the NFL?

Initially, Stephon’s mom was quite surprised to see her son’s love for football, because she perceived him to be reserved and quiet. While she was aware of his disciplined nature, she wasn’t able to grasp his intense passion for sports at the start. He developed his own trajectory to pursue sports and has established a standard for the family, as Linda remarks, “He set the tone for them in terms of understanding if you want to be successful at something, you have to work hard.”

Even though he had a humble beginning, Stephon credits his parents for what he is today. He remarks, “My mom and dad raised me the right way, and that’s why I’m the person I am now. I’m a respectful person and treat people right,” as mentioned in the Buffalo Bills’ article. He intends to be a role model for his siblings, which he has indeed fulfilled. And, he makes sure to stay connected with his family.

In fact, his first tattoo is that of a family tree on his left arm with the names of his parents and siblings. When Linda saw the tattoo, she remarked, “It blew me away when I saw it. That was his first tattoo, and I was shocked really.” Carrying love, pride, and responsibility, Stephon is making his path ahead, turning a new stone each day!