CHARLOTTE — When Stephon Gilmore was growing up, he loved watching Steve Smith Sr. and Jake Delhomme, and Stephen Davis and Julius Peppers, and Tshimanga Biakabutuka.
When you're a local, you go that far back.
And there was always a part of him that dreamed of playing in the same building those guys did, a short ride up I-77 from his hometown of Rock Hill.
Thursday, he walked into that building for the first time as a member of the Panthers.
"I always wanted to, growing up as a kid," Gilmore said. "Some things you can't control. But I always thought about it as a kid, and you always dreamed about it.
"But it happened, and I'm happy it happened."
So are they.
The Panthers were so eager to acquire the 2019 NFL defensive player of the year that they traded for him, sending a 2023 sixth-round pick just to secure his services. The Patriots were expected to cut him, but that word got out to try to flush out offers. And rather than risk seeing him land somewhere else, Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer was happy to pay the small price.
Another team could have always traded for Gilmore, but if he had gotten cut, the Panthers could have saved that future pick.
"I think so," Gilmore replied, when asked if he'd have signed here anyway if he made it to the market. "This is a place I always wanted to play. Looking at the team and what they've got, the potential. Obviously, you have to put in a lot of hard work to get to where you want to go.
"For sure, I think it was a great opportunity I would come here."
Of course, he knows the city. He lives here, a few doors down from Fitterer, actually. And with his background, he knows his Panthers history.
But he hadn't even met head coach Matt Rhule in person late Thursday afternoon when he talked to reporters, so he was short on specifics. He doesn't know what number he'll wear (his New England 24 and South Pointe High School and University of South Carolina 5 are taken). He even stopped short of saying with certainty that he'd be able to play in Week 7 against the Giants.
He's on the physically unable to perform list at the moment because of a quad injury suffered last year, but he said he was running and lifting and doing football drills.
"I'm just taking it a day at a time, and talking to the coaches, and go from there," he said.
Gilmore has always been low-key, but even though this is a cause for celebration for him and his family and friends, he knows he's here to work.
Asked if there were particular things about home he looked forward to, he took it back to football.
"I'm just looking forward to playing ball, doing something I love," he said. "Obviously, community work, I'm big on community work, but the number one thing is trying to compete and get on the field and do what I do and have fun."
He does have some insight into at least one of his new teammates. Rookie cornerback Jaycee Horn has been under his wing, and Gilmore said Horn visited his home before the draft. They've spoken in these hectic last 24 hours, and Gilmore said he's disappointed it will be some time before they get to play together (because of Horn's broken foot).
"He's a great player; it was unfortunate for him at the beginning of the season," Gilmore said. "But he's got a bright future, and I'm going to come in and try to teach all those guys what I know and try to come in and make plays myself.
"I talked to him. He reached out. We keep in touch here and there, talk about different things we see, different receivers. He's a student of the game, and I like that."
Gilmore was very matter-of-fact about the last day.
When asked how he learned of the trade, he said, "Bill called me and told me," referring to Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
"It's been a crazy 24 hours," Gilmore said. "From sitting in the meeting room, to talking to Bill, to getting traded, to flying down here today. It's been a crazy 24 hours, but it's over now, and I'm looking forward to the future."
About that future. He said he's not worried about the fact his contract expires at the end of this season. He was working toward a new deal with the Patriots prior to the trade, but said he's content to play things out here.
The Panthers have said they'd like to keep him (along with 25-year-old free-agent-to-be Donte Jackson), but that wasn't on Gilmore's mind. When it takes two years to go from being defensive player of the year to traded for spare change, it gives you a certain perspective.
"That's how it is," Gilmore said. "Every year starts over. You've got to earn it every year. That's how I look at it. I turn the page each and every year and try to earn what I want. That's how I look at every situation."
Still, you could tell Thursday, that there were moments when he was looking around his new surroundings, that the kid from Rock Hill was still amazed he ended up in this place.
"I've been playing ball since I was 6 years old. I still remember running around the cones with my dad and him throwing me the ball," he said. "A lot of memories here.
"I grew up watching the Panthers play. I was always a Panthers fan. I knew all the players that played before me, and I'm happy to be back."
View photos of Gilmore from his years with the Patriots (2017-21) and Bills (2012-16).
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, left, catches a pass for a touchdown as New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore defends at right during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15), right, catches the ball despite the challenge of Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the NFL game between Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) defends during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore lines up for a play against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots' Stephon Gilmore during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore warms up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, left, talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes after an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 26-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, rear, during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore poses for a portrait backstage after winning the AP Defensive Player of the Year award during the 9th Annual NFL Honors awards show, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 in Miami. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore covers Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones during an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore runs after intercepting a pass against the Miami Dolphins in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) stands on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2019, file photo New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore tries to catch a pass against the New York Jets during an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. Gilmore was named The Associated Press 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore at the bench area during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots defensive back Stephon Gilmore, center, celebrates his interception with Dont'a Hightower, left, and Eric Rowe, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Foxborough, Mass. 2018 has been a signature season for one of the quietest players in their locker room. Gilmore earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his career and taken the leadership reins of a secondary that lost Malcolm Butler in free agency this past offseason. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) runs for a touchdown, during the second half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore is shown during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, in Foxborough, Mass. Despite showing some vulnerability in their loss to the Ravens, the Patriots' defense remains one of the NFL's best heading into the second half of 2019. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) and New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) get in a shoving match during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore celebrates his interception against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) runs on the field with teammates before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' Stephon Gilmore, top, breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles' Alshon Jeffery during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game on Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) is stopped by New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) at the goal line during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Detroit. The play was reviewed and the Lions awarded a touchdown. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
FILE- In this Nov. 26, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) is congratulated by Malcolm Butler (21) after he intercepted a pass in the end zone against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles are set to meet in Super Bowl 52 on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
New England Patriots' Stephon Gilmore (24) knocks a pass away from Carolina Panthers' DJ Moore (12) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, congratulates cornerback Stephon Gilmore after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook (12) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) heads to the field before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) greets Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) following an NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New England Patriots' Stephon Gilmore (24) intercepts the ball against Los Angeles Rams' Brandin Cooks (12) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AFC strong safety Darian Stewart (26), of the Denver Broncos, congratulates cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24), of the Buffalo Bills, after Gilmore intercepted a pass in the end zone, during the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O?Meara)
