Paul Lankford

Paul Lankford (born June 15, 1958) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played in two Super Bowls for the Miami Dolphins. He played collegiately at Penn State and is the father of former Illinois wide receiver Ryan Lankford, who signed with the Dolphins in 2014.

Lankford was recruited to play football at Penn State but was told by coach Joe Paterno that he had to choose between track and field or football. Lankford chose football and did not play football for his first two years at Penn State. He finished seventh in the hurdles at the 1980 United States Olympic trials. After two years at Penn State, Paterno allowed him to join the football team and he earned a job as a starting cornerback.