Bama in the NFL: John Hannah was Punishing for New England Patriots

Some 40 years later, the former Crimson Tide standout is still considered to be one of the all-time greats of the NFL.

There was domination, and then there was John Hannah with the New England Patriots. 

Hannah was a fierce competitor with good footwork, but didn't just hit defenders, he punished them. Even though Hannah retired in 1985, he still has the reputation for being one of the NFL's hardest hitters. 

Some believe he was the best offensive lineman to ever play the game. The fourth-overall selection in 1973 draft, Hannah spent his entire professional career with the New England Patriots. He was named All-Pro seven times, and was a second-team selection another three. Additionally, he was selected for the Pro Bowl nine times.  

Other honors included being one of the few players named to an NFL All-Decade Team twice, for the 1970s and 1980s. He was also the top guard listed on the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994, and also was also selected for the NFL’s 100th-anniversary team.

Consequently, Hannah's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a no-brainer, and the Patriots retired his No. 73. 

Paul Bryant once said of Hannah, “In over 30 years with the game, he’s the finest offensive lineman I’ve ever been around.”

“Coach Bryant left for me a lesson of setting lofty goals,” Hannah said. “And not only that but to run life’s race to reach those goals. The greatest lesson that he left with me was that you have to beat your body, you got to make it your slave if you ever want to get where you want to go.”

The other Patriots player who obviously stands out is linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who also suited up for just one NFL team. From 2012-21 (he sat out the covid-2020 season), the linebacker participated in 117 games (114 starts) and was credited with 569 tackles, including 43 for a loss and 27 sacks. Hightower was a key defensive part to four New England teams that reached the Super Bowl.  

Bama in the NFL: New England Patriots

The Franchise

American Football Conference

East Division

Team Colors: Blue, Red, Silver and White

Founded: Founded in 1959 as the “Boston Patriots,” the franchise changed the name to New England when it moved to Foxborough in 1971. 

Stadium: Gillette Stadium (capacity 64,628)

Playing Surface: FieldTurf 

Training Camp: Gillette Stadium

All-Time Alabama Players

1. Mark Anderson, DE, 2011
2. Jay Barker, QB, 1995
3. Christian Barmore, DT, 2021 - 2022
4. Wesley Britt, OT, 2006 - 2008
5. Bob Cryder, OG, 1978 - 1983
6. Brandon Deaderick, DE, 2010 - 2012
7. Reggie Grimes, DE, 2000
8. John Hannah, OG, 1973 - 1985
9. Damien Harris, RB, 2019 - 2022
10. Dont'a Hightower, LB, 2012 - 2021
11. Anfernee Jennings, LB, 2020 - 2022
12. Cyrus Jones, DB, 2016 & 2018
13. Mac Jones, QB, 2021 - 2022
14. Antonio Langham, DB, 2000
15. Kevin Lee, WR, 1995
16. Billy Neighbors, OG, 1962 - 1965
17. Mike Pitts, DE, 1993 - 1994
18. Jess Richardson, DT, 1962 - 1964
19. Rod Rutledge, TE, 1998 - 2001
20. Kevin Turner, RB, 1992 - 1994
21. Michael Williams, TE, 2015 - 2016
22. Mack Wilson Sr., LB, 2022

Crimson Tide Players Drafted

Year	Player	Pos.	Round	Pick	Overall
1962-a	Billy Neighbors	T	6		46
1963-2	Lee Roy Jordan	LB	2	6	14
1963-a	Dick Williamson	E	7	7	55
1973	John Hannah	G	1	4	4
1978	Bob Cryder	G	1	18	18
1984-s	Walter Lewis	QB	3	14	70
1992	Kevin Turner	RB	3	15	71
1994	Kevin Lee	WR	2	6	35
1998	Rod Rutledge	TE	2	24	24
2010	Brandon Deaderick	DE	7	40	247
2012	Dont'a Hightower	LB	1	25	25
2015	Xzavier Dickson	LB	7	36	253
2016	Cyrus Jones	CB	2	29	60
2019	Damien Harris	RB	3	23	87
2020	Anfernee Jennings	LB	3	23	87
2021	Mac Jones	QB	1	15	15
2021	Christian Barmore	DT	2	6	38

Super Bowl Appearances

Super Bowl XX (Jan 26, 1986)

John Hannah started at his usual spot, left guard, and had his hands full with William Refrigerator Perry. The Chicago Bears dominated the game, 46–10.

Super Bowl XLVI (Feb. 5, 2012)

Mark Anderson had five tackles including 1.5 sacks,  and two quarterback hits, and Brandon Deaderick also had a sack. However, Eli Manning led the Giants to the 21-17 victory to be named Super Bowl MVP for a second time. He was 30 for 40 for 296 yards and one touchdown.

Super Bowl XLIX (Feb. 1, 2015)

Dont'a Hightower, playing in the first of four Super Bowls teams with the Patriots, was credited with five tackles. New England scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, but needed undrafted rookie Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception in the final seconds to secure the 28-24 victory. 

Super Bowl LI (Feb. 5, 2017)

Hightower had two tackles, including a sack, and a forced fumble, Cyrus Jones was also on the Patriots, who won 34-28 in overtime. Tom Brady led the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, with the Patriots overcoming a 28–3 deficit to emerge victorious.

Super Bowl LII (Feb. 4, 2018)

Hightower and Jones were both on the Patriots, but neither played in the game. Hightower was out with a torn pectoral muscle. The Eagles won a shootout, 41-33. 

Super Bowl LIII (Feb. 3, 2019)

Hightower had two sacks and three quarterbacks hits as the Patriots beat Rams 13-3 in lowest scoring Super Bowl to date. 

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Major Awards/Honors

All-Pro

John Hannah (7): 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985 

Billy Neighbors (1): 1963

(Note: Hannah was also second-team All-Pro three times).

Pro Bowl

John Hannah (9): 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 

Dont'a Hightower (2): 2016, 2019

Billy Neighbors (1): 1963

Mac Jones (1): 2021

Pro Football Hall of Fame

John Hannah

Jersey Retired 

73 John Hannah

Other John Hannah Honors

• NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
• NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
• NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
• NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• New England Patriots All-1970s Team
• New England Patriots All-1980s Team
• New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team
• New England Patriots Hall of Fame

Other Dont'a Hightower Honors

• New England Patriots All-2010s Team
• New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team

Other Billy Neighbors Honors

• AFL All-Star (1963)
• Boston Patriots All-1960s Team

In conjunction with our revamped Bama in the NFL Database, this is the 22nd story in a series examining the team-by-team history of Alabama's former players in the NFL.

AFC

• Baltimore Ravens
• Buffalo Bills
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns
• Denver Broncos
• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Miami Dolphins

NFC

• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• Chicago Bears
• Dallas Cowboys
• Detroit Lions
• Green Bay Packers
• Los Angeles Rams
• Minnesota Vikings

See Also:

Bama in the NFL: The Ultimate Crimson Tide Database
Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team