73 Days 'Til Kickoff: Alabama Great John Hannah

Herb Hannah played for the Crimson Tide from 1948-50 and spent a season at tackle for the New York Giants before retiring to coach and teach in North Georgia. In 1961, he bought the Alabama territory of a poultry company where he worked and founded the Hannah Supply Co. However, the greatest and largest products he produced were his sons Charley, David and John. All three of his progeny would follow their father's footsteps to star as linemen at Alabama.

John "Hog" Hannah, an offensive lineman, was the greatest of the Hannah sons. John played tackle and guard under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant from 1970 until 1972, earning two All-American honors. During his tenure, Hannah was part of two SEC championship-winning teams. 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. Hannah was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. Coach Bryant would later say that Hannah was the greatest lineman he ever coached.

John would be drafted fourth overall by the New England Patriots in 1973 and became a cornerstone for the Pats for 13 seasons, being named All-Pro an unheard-of ten straight times from 1976 until he retired in 1985. He was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991. Sports Illustrated dubbed him, on its August 3, 1981 cover, "The Best Offensive Lineman of All Time."

Brothers Charley and David were All-SEC linemen. Charley played in the NFL from 1977 to 1988 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Raiders. Charley was a member of the 1983-84 Super Bowl winning Raiders. David's promising football career was cut short by a knee injury.

John Hannah from Paul W. Bryant Museum on Vimeo.