John Hannah (American football)

Infobox NFLretired


name=John Hannah
|width=
caption=
position=Offensive Guard
number=73
birthdate=birth date and age|1951|4|4
Canton, Georgia
deathdate=
debutyear=1973
finalyear=1985
draftyear=1973
draftround=1
draftpick=4
college=Alabama
teams=
* New England Patriots (1973-1985)
stat1label=Games played
stat1value=183
stat2label=Games started
stat2value=183
stat3label=Fumble recoveries
stat3value=10
nfl=HAN295312
highlights=
* 9x Pro Bowl selection (1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985)
* 10x All-Pro selection (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985)
* NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
* NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
* NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
* New England Patriots #73 Retired
HOF=88
CollegeHOF=70052

John Allen "Hog" Hannah (born April 4, 1951) is a former American football left guard who played for the New England Patriots (1973–1985) in the National Football League. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991, and "Sports Illustrated" dubbed him, on its August 3, 1981 cover, "The Best Offensive Lineman of All Time."

Early life

John Hannah was born in Canton, Georgia, the son of an NFL player, Herbert (Herb) Hannah, an offensive lineman for the University of Alabama who played a year at tackle for the New York Giants in 1951.

His brothers Charley and David were also All-Conference offensive linemen for the University of Alabama. Charley Hannah played in the NFL from 1977 to 1988 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Raiders. Charley was on the 1983 Super Bowl team with the Los Angeles Raiders.

John Hannah was raised in Albertville, Alabama and excelled at football, wrestling and track at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He won an individual national championship in wrestling at the National Prep Championship in 1967. However, John played his senior season of high school football at Albertville High School, where he graduated in 1969.

College career

Hannah played tackle and guard for the University of Alabama under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant from 1970 until 1972, and earned All American honors twice, in 1971 and then was a unanimous Consensus All American his senior year in 1972. During his tenure Hannah was part of an SEC championship-winning team. He was named to the University of Alabama All-Century Team and also to the Alabama 1970s All-Decade team.During his time at Alabama he also participated in wrestling, the shot put, and the discus throw.

NFL career

Hannah joined the Patriots in 1973 as the 4th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft. He played his entire professional career in Foxboro. Hannah was named All-Pro 10 times (1976-1985) and All-AFC 10 times (1974, 1976-1985). Hannah was also selected to play in 9 Pro Bowls. He is also one of the few players to have been named to the NFL All-Decade Team twice, as Hannah was selected to both the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams (joining an elite group of players who have achieved this including Walter Payton). Hannah was also selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, being the #1 guard in the team.

In 1991 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He and Andre Tippett are the only members of the Hall of Fame to have spent their entire career with the Patriots. In 1999, he was ranked number 20 on "The Sporting News"' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking Patriot, the highest-ranking guard, and the second-ranked offensive lineman behind Anthony Muñoz.

Coaching

Hannah became an assistant coach at Governor Dummer Academy in Massachusetts, leaving to accept the head coaching job at Somerville, Massachusetts, High School in 2004. While concurrently serving as the city's youth development coordinator, Hannah led the Somerville team through one winless season. He left to become a special assistant coach at his alma mater, Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2005. He resigned from his coaching position at the conclusion of Baylor's 2005 football season.

External links

*"Pro Football Hall of Fame:" [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=88 Member profile]
* [http://www.collegefootballnews.com/Top_100_Players/Top_100_Players_13_John_Hannah.htm Bio]