Fansided

25 best NFL players of all time from the SEC

By John Buhler

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) warms up before Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) warms up before Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Football: New England Patriots John Hannah (73) in action, blocking vs New England Patriots at Shea Stadium.Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City 11/19/1978CREDIT: Walter Iooss Jr. (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr. /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X22928 TK1 R21 F7 )
Football: New England Patriots John Hannah (73) in action, blocking vs New England Patriots at Shea Stadium.Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City 11/19/1978CREDIT: Walter Iooss Jr. (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr. /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X22928 TK1 R21 F7 ) /
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John Hannah

Guard, Alabama Crimson Tide

Before Tom Brady started winning championships, the greatest player in New England Patriots history was offensive guard John Hannah. That’s not to discredit players at more high-profile positions. Hannah was just that good at guard during his 13-year NFL career in New England.

Before arriving in Foxborough, Hannah was an absolute beast on Paul “Bear” Bryant’s Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line. He was a two-time All-American in Tuscaloosa before being the No. 4 overall pick by the Patriots in the 1973 NFL Draft.

In New England, Hannah would make 10-straight All-Pro teams and earn nine Pro Bowl nods. Over 30 years after his retirement, Hannah might still be the best guard to have ever played in the NFL. He was dominant up front from 1976 until his final NFL game in Super Bowl XX vs. the Chicago Bears.

Nicknamed Hog, Hannah was equally impressive in run blocking and in pass protection. When the Patriots would run a sweep, no linebacker wanted anything to do with Hannah leading the charge as the pulling guard.

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