South Carolina Football: Ranking the top-20 NFL Gamecocks of all-time
By Kevin Miller
![Former South Carolina football cornerback Stephon Gilmore intercepts a pass in Super Bowl LIII. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports Former South Carolina football cornerback Stephon Gilmore intercepts a pass in Super Bowl LIII. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a91291f80aaece768ca235a5e46159a22a80e0d57582bc3b710a69013768324d.jpg)
South Carolina Football’s No. 9 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Cornerback Sheldon Brown
Sheldon Brown (1998-2001) was one of the best corners to ever play for the Gamecocks and continued his strong play at the position after being taken in the 2nd round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Brown took a couple of years to break into the starting lineup in Philly, but he became a top-10 cornerback in the League in the mid-to-late 2000s.
In just his second year as the full-time starter for the Eagles, Brown led the entire NFL in passes defended in 2005 when he knocked away 27 passes. While in Philadelphia, Brown delivered one of the biggest hits in NFL history when he jacked up Saints star running back Reggie Bush to knock a pass away.
Brown was remarkably durable during his career, starting 144 of his last 147 games. Brown was a notable Pro Bowl snub as he logged 26 interceptions, 9 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 146 passes defended in his career.
After the Eagles traded Brown to Cleveland when he turned 30, Brown still put together three productive seasons for the Browns before retiring after 11 seasons in the League.