Friends Stephon Gilmore and Jackie Bradley Jr. enjoy success on big stages

FOXBORO – Hours after the Patriots beat the Kansas City Chiefs, Stephon Gilmore was one of the last players left in the locker room. Before he left to go home, someone mentioned the Red Sox, who took on the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the ALCS that same night.

Immediately, Gilmore asked the reporter if he knew the score – the Sox won, 7-5. As it turns out, Gilmore had a rooting interest in the game that goes beyond the fact that he now plays in New England. [...]

FOXBORO – Hours after the Patriots beat the Kansas City Chiefs, Stephon Gilmore was one of the last players left in the locker room. Before he left to go home, someone mentioned the Red Sox, who took on the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the ALCS that same night.

Immediately, Gilmore asked the reporter if he knew the score – the Sox won, 7-5. As it turns out, Gilmore had a rooting interest in the game that goes beyond the fact that he now plays in New England.

“Jackie Bradley Jr. That’s my boy,” Gilmore said when he learned the Sox beat the Astros that night.

Gilmore and Bradley Jr. have a budding friendship that goes back to their college days at South Carolina. The two Gamecocks now share the same state as professional athletes. As Gilmore rises through the ranks in the NFL, he’s enjoyed watching Bradley Jr. have success during the Red Sox recent playoff run.

Since Gilmore signed with the Patriots, in 2017, he and Bradley reconnected.

“Our relationship really took hold after our college careers,” Bradley said. “Last year he was able to come up here to Fenway and support me. I wish I had the opportunity to do that. We know each other’s families and talk quite a bit.” 

“It’s crazy,” added Gilmore, who’s been to two games at Fenway Park. “You never think that playing in college, you’re kind of just having fun and playing your sport and [then] you go to the same city having success. It’s always good to see someone who came from where you came from having success.”

Both Gilmore and Bradley are the same age – 28 – and they entered college as freshman in 2009. That year, the two players found instant collegiate success. Bradley Jr. batted .349 and hit 11 home runs as freshman. Gilmore started as a true freshman and earned Freshman All-American honors after finishing with 52 tackles and an interception.

“We came in as freshmen together… got to know each other through classes and being in the academic building (The Dodie),” Bradley Jr. said.

Gilmore paid attention to the South Carolina baseball team while Bradley Jr. shined, winning back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011. During those same years, Gilmore had success on the gridiron and was First Team All-SEC both seasons. After the 2011 season, both players left school early and became first-round picks. The Red Sox drafted Bradley Jr. 40th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft.  The Buffalo Bills selected Gilmore tenth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Since reuniting in Massachusetts, Gilmore’s been a big fan of Bradley Jr. and that’s continued this postseason. The cornerback stayed up until the wee hours of the morning last week to watch the Sox beat the Astros in Game 3 of the ALCS. He was elated when Bradley Jr. hit a home run off Houston closer Roberto Osuna.

“Oh man, it was big. I was actually watching it when it happened. It was very exciting,” Gilmore said the next day. “Seeing where he came from, from South Carolina. I’m surprised he hasn’t won a gold glove yet. It was a big hit last night. I hope they keep on going.”

The Sox have and Bradley Jr.'s been a big part. After the Red Sox put away the Astros in Game 5, the center fielder was named the ALCS Most Valuable Player Award.

Success has also come Gilmore’s way this season. The cornerback is second in the NFL in passes deflected with nine. He’s tied for fourth in the NFL in passes defended, which includes interceptions, with 10. The Patriots’ No. 1 cornerback has been outstanding this season.

Gilmore’s talked with Bradley Jr. throughout this postseason. He continues to tune in as the Red Sox are facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

“It’s big. I watched [Game 1],” Gilmore said. “Those guys were flying around and make plays. It was a good game. I’m happy to see him playing at the biggest stage of his career.”

Added Bradley Jr.: “He's a really cool dude and it's neat that we've come a long ways from South Carolina and are better friends now than then.”

Kevin McNamara contributed to this report.