Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman John Hannah comes in at number 24 on NFL Films' "The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players" list produced in 2010. Subscribe to NFL Films: goo.gl/XJTggL
#73 was an absolute STUD on the line - incredible physique, especially in the legs, smart, and an intensity that never let up. I played offensive line and the thing I love about Hannah is that unlike any other offensive lineman, he DROVE people back and often pancaked/put them on the ground. That is unheard of with just about any other offensive guard, let alone any other offensive lineman that has played.
I remember being a kid in the 80s, and collecting football cards was a passion of mine. I remember when Id open a pack and see that "all pro" banner on the card, and feeling like I got a good one. I was too young to know the game as I do now, but man, every card I ever got of John Hannah, it always had that All Pro on it. Hell of a football player.
TheBalls55 he ended up working with my best friend’s dad after he retired. One morning my high school football team had a breakfast at an inn that was built in the 1700’s. Anyway he comes walking in and goes to shake my best friend’s hand who was sitting across from me. Hannah’s arm went right over my shoulder and it was scary how big his fore arm was. So a couple of minutes later he addressed the whole team. Because the place was built in the 1700’s the ceiling was incredibly low. He looked so physically uncomfortable just because of the room. He told some great stories about Alabama and Paul “Bear” Bryant. He tells this one story about his freshman year and in the hot Bama sun he over heats and collapses. As they are reviving him “Bear” Bryant walks up to him and says “You know son, the body is an amazing machine, it passes out before it dies” and walked away. I’ve been in car accidents, work related accidents and all kinds of painful things since. Some how I just remember that “Bear” Bryant line and kept going.
@@teller1290 hmm who’s advice do I take about pain and exhaustion, a then future NFL Hall of Famer that was right in front of me at the time, quoting one of the greatest coaches ever, that he played for orrrrrr some random guy in a RU-vid comment section. You probably didn’t think that all the way through before typing it out, did you.
@@tctarheelfarmin358 Bruce matthews, Larry allen, Anthony Munoz, Forest Gregg, Randall McDaniel, Joe thomas, Gene Upshaw, Tom Mack, Will Shields, Mike Webster, Jon Ogden.... shall I continue or do you want a few more?
@@tctarheelfarmin358 like fr don't say he's the greatest when he's not even the greatest at his position. Do NOT compare him with Larry Allen. LA is in an entirely different stratosphere than John Hannah
Maybe it's my own bias as a forward in Aussie rugby league here, I mean we aren't slouches in our forward lines, but seeing Hannah pulling off the line in these highlights . . . that's 260 pounds of muscle hurtling at sprinters pace. I don't think there's many things stopping that, absolute magic to watch.
Watch some Larry Allen highlights. They were both road graders. Allen was 325 lbs. give or take. Ran down an NFL LB. Allen was at a dead stop and the LB was in full sprint and he still caught him.
john rockerman Did less with more? If Art Shell and Gene Upshaw aren't on those Raiders teams, the Raiders would not have won those two super bowls. In an era having to go up against the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty, Don Shula's Miami Dolphins, the Orange Crush of the Denver Broncos, and Air Coryell's San Diego Chargers. The competition was thick and Art Shell & Gene Upshaw were the foundation for Raiders success
Right behind Hannah & Grey, then Shell & Upshaw, next has to be Walter Jones & Steve Hutchinson. The Seahawks of the early 2000s did so much behind those 2 it's ridiculous.
More like Hannah and Brian Holloway. I remember watching the Pro Bowls and they were always on the same side of the line with the Raiders duo on the other side
Late in his career, John Hannah said in an interview that Dave Butz was the most difficult guy to block he ever played against. Why isn't Dave Butz ever considered for the HALL ????
Great question. I think that the media, who select players for the HOF don't really understand what makes a great interior lineman -- where the usual stats don't really apply. Joe Klecko is another one -- like Butz, an absolute beast who was constantly double teamed. They deserve much more credit.
He reminds me of Quenton Nelson. Tough but nice and hardworking guy👏🔥👌Q Will be in HOF for sure if he can keep his consistency thru his carrers with all-pro and probowl selection every year
JH had perhaps the strongest lower body of anyone in NFL history. His thighs and calves were like huge chunks of concrete. And he had great balance; opposing players could rarely knock him over because he nearly always had his feet underneath him.
kingfish4242 that's true, part of the reason the record was set was because of the additional 2 regular season games However, that record has stood the test of time, 38 years now.
I agree it will never be broken. Unless the NFL drastically changes the rules again, it's too easy to complete a pass now. Officials also throw PI flags on Db's for giving a receiver a dirty look now. NFL legends like Night Train Lane and Ronnie Lott would have trouble playing in this era
Got to watch him at the end of his career. A kind, compassionate human who was a nasty, ruthless Guard on the gridiron. Just that head of his tells you he is a beast.
As an old Dolphins fan I chuckled when they opened the video with John putting two Dolphins on the ground, because I believe John was in New England for almost all of the 19 game win streak the Dolphins had over the Patriots...ahhh those were the days.
Best offensive lineman in every team's history: Bills: Joe Delamielleure. Dolphins: Dwight Stephenson. Patriots: John Hannah. Jets: Nick Mangold. Ravens: Johnathan Ogden. Bengals: Anthony Munoz. Browns: Joe Thomas. Steelers: Mike Webster. (Honorable mention to Dermonti Dawson and Alan Faneca.) Texans: Duane Brown. Colts: Jim Parker. (Honorable mention to Jeff Saturday.) Jaguars: Tony Boselli. Titans: Bruce Matthews. Broncos: Gary Zimmerman. Chiefs: Will Shields. Raiders: Jim Otto. (Honorable mention to Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, and Steve Wisniewski.) Chargers: Ron Mix. Cowboys: Larry Allen. (Honorable mention to Zack Martin.) Giants: Rosey Brown. Eagles: Chuck Bednarik. Redskins: Russ Grimm. (Honorable mention to Joe Jacoby.) Bears: Jimbo Covert. Lions: Lomas Brown. Packers: Forrestt Gregg. (Honorable mention to Jerry Kramer.) Vikings: Randall McDaniel. Falcons: Mike Kenn. Panthers: Ryan Kalil. Saints: Jahari Evans. Buccaneers: Dalvin Joseph. Cardinals: Dan Dierdorf. Rams: Orlando Pace. 49ers: Joe Staley. Seahawks: Walter Jones.
Those blocks are very hard to make too. As good as he was you can see how difficult it was even for him and yet he did it. It’s because people are moving they’re moving targets and on their feet. As a linebacker I had to use a firearm and hands to try to move people like John around and it’s almost impossible to do.
When you’re recognized as the greatest ever and played for a losing organization in its dark days…that really says something…Hannah most likely the best ever
John Hannah was faster than many of the running backs he was blocking for. Many times he would eliminate 2 or more defenders. And he had two brothers (David and Charlie) that were pretty darned good in their own right.
You might be surprised. When I went to the London game against the Rams, there were SEVERAL Pats fans sporting a John Hannah jersey. I even remember one of them was Hungarian. Since we are talking about friggin' Europe there, I would absolutely not be surprised for him to be well known by every Patriots fan in USA.
Hog would run all out while leaning forward and once he felt contact, use hand leverage to push off his legs; plus, straighten is upper body, lifting the opponent off their legs. A wrestling move running full speed; wow.
I'm thinking of what Lombardi could have done with John on his teams. Lordy! They would have had to change the name from the Meat Packers to the Meat Grinders!
Lower on the list than he should be. That 3,165 yards? That was without a 1,000 yard rusher. It was all John Hannah, didn't matter who you handed the ball to.
Hannah played during the era when offensive linemen actually blocked.!! With shoulder pads and forearms, they ferociously delivered a blow. Today, the linemen are strong, but they are fat and merely hand-fight and push.
